Buildings Collapse As Earthquake Hits Taiwan

At least four buildings have collapsed in Taiwan after a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck the south of the island. 
Two people have been confirmed dead so far, including an infant girl, according to reports.

Dozens of residents are reported to be trapped in a block in the city of Tainan.
Firefighters said 123 people have been rescued so far from the 17-storey building.

"There are 60 households in that building," said Tainan City Government Fire Bureau spokesman Lee Po Min.
He estimated there might be about 240 people living there.
Formosa TV said 37 people were rescued from another seven-storey property. Reports said the building is a bank.
Its reporters said they could hear cries of help from inside one destroyed building.

Officials said four buildings had collapsed in the two million-population city, and there are no immediate reports of casualties.
The US Geological Survey said the quake struck at a depth of six miles (10km), about 27 miles (43km) southeast of Tainan.

Tremors were felt in the capital Taipei, on the other side of the island.
The quake was initially reported as having a magnitude of 6.7, but was later downgraded to 6.4.

At least five aftershocks of 3.8 magnitude or more shook Tainan 30 minutes after the initial quake, Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau said.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said a tsunami was not expected.
Taiwan lies between two tectonic plates in the "Pacific Ring of Fire" and is regularly hit by earthquakes.

In 2013, four people were killed when a 6.3-magnitude quake caused landslides in the centre of the island.
In 1999, a 7.6-magnitude quake killed around 2,400 people.