Taiwan Earthquake: 5 Dead, Over 150 Injured In 6.4 Magnitude Tremor

KABUL: (MEP) At least five people have lost their lives and more than 150 others seriously injured after a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck southern Taiwanese city of Tainan early Saturday.

The injured were reported to in the Asian island nation, according to officials.

The tremor has left multiple buildings, including a high-rise residential tower, collapsed in which over 220 have been saved so far as emergency teams continue to scour through the rubble.

“Four buildings have collapsed in Tainan City area. Search and rescue is underway and no casualties have been reported at this moment,” Lin Kuan-cheng, spokesman for the National Fire Agency, told AFP.

However, Rescuers meanwhile are battling to free more than 100 people others trapped in a collapsed buildings.

Formosa TV reported that there were 150 trapped in one 16-storey building with those inside crying for help.

The epicenter of the quake was 43 kilometers (27 miles) southeast of Tainan at a depth of 23 kilometers (14 miles), the US Geological Survey said.

More than 1,500 people are involved in rescue operations and at least 810 soldiers have been mobilized to help the efforts, Taiwan’s defence ministry said.