Deadly Earthquake Leaves 7 Dead and 318 Hospitalised in Taiwan (Photos)

Posted by George on Sat 06th Feb, 2016 - tori.ng

A severe earthquake has rocked a part of Asia leaving several casualties behind as well as the destruction of properties.

According to Taiwan's disaster response centre, an earthquake in Southern Taiwan on early Saturday morning has killed seven people leaving hundreds injured.

The collapse of eight buildings which was caused by the disaster is the main cause of death for the victims. While a 10-day- old baby and a 40-year-old man are among those that lost their lives, 318 people are currently hospitalised as of the time of filing this report.

The collapsed 17-story Wei Guan building which is located Yongkang District of Tainan, houses more than 90 households which accounts for 256 people. As a result , 246 people have been evacuated from the building after the disaster, making it difficult to ascertain the whereabouts of 10 residents in the building .

Firefighters and soldiers were seen using excavators and ladders to take survivors out of the rubble and broken windows as the Wei Guan building had collapsed hence lying on the ground.

China mainland has also offered to help Taiwan following the crisis. Also 2 million yuan (US $304,268) has been offered to Taiwan by China's mainland's Red Cross Society to help relieve the displaced.

According to China Earthquake Networks Centre, the earthquake that hit Kaohsiung City had a magnitude of 6.7, with a depth of 15km at 3:57 a.m Beijing time on Saturday.

Taiwan is not new to earthquakes though the are usually minor with the heaviest been the September 21, 1999 earthquake which left more than 2,000 people dead.