Strong Quake Hits Taiwan; at Least 5 Dead

• 02.06.2016, 10:16
•  Asia,  World,  No-politics

Reuters

A powerful earthquake toppled a 17-story apartment building in southern Taiwan on Saturday, killing at least five people, including a 10-day-old girl, and triggering frantic efforts to rescue about 35 people feared trapped insi, Reuters reports

Rescuers mounted hydraulic ladders and a crane to scour the wreckage, plucking 221 survivors to 

The quake was centred 27 miles (43 km) southeast of Tainan, at a depth of 23 km (14 miles), the U.S. Geological Survey said. Several aftershocks shook Tainan, Taiwan's weather bureau said.

The fire department said 115 people had been taken to hospital from around Tainan.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office, which in is charge of Beijing's relations with the self-ruled island, said China was willing to provide help if needed, Chinese state news agency Xinhua said. Beijing regards Taiwan as a wayward province.