Deadly earthquake rocks southern Taiwan

At least seven people confirmed dead after 17-storey building in the city of Tainan collapses, trapping scores.

The quake was very shallow, at depth of 10km, which would have amplified its effects, the USGS said [AP]

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake has hit southern Taiwan near the city of Tainan, causing at least seven deaths after a 17-storey building collapsed and trapped scores of residents.
William Lai, Tainan's mayor, speaking at the disaster site just hours after the quake shook the island early on Saturday, said that 221 people lived in the building.
He said another 31 people had been sent to the hospital.
A baby girl and a 40-year-old man were confirmed dead, according to a government official.
Rescuers mounted hydraulic ladders and a crane to search the debris and carry more than 120 survivors to safety, with at least 26 taken to hospital, a fire brigade official said.
One city hospital said 58 people had been brought in, most of them with light injuries.
Social-media posts
Images posted on social media showed a collapsed building and several people trying to rescue those who were trapped. Another building was also shown in a partially collapsed state.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake was centred 43km southeast of the city of nearly two million people.

The quake was very shallow, at a depth of just 10km, which would have amplified its effects above the surface, the USGS said.
At least five aftershocks of 3.8-magnitude or more shook Tainan about half an hour after the initial quake, according to Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau.
A report in Taiwan's China Post newspaper said: "Collapsed buildings reported in Tainan, with rescue workers arriving on scene.
"The city government there has set up a level one emergency response centre. Onlookers are urged not to block access to emergency crews moving into the area."
Liu Shih-chung, an official for the Tainan city government, said authorities had set up an emergency response centre.
Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou, speaking before leaving for the disaster scene, said authorities were not sure yet of the full extent of the disaster.
"The disaster situation is not very clear yet. We will do our utmost to rescue and secure [survivors]," Ma said.
The quake struck Taiwan as it was preparing for the annual Lunar New Year, a major public holiday.
Taiwan lies in the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire - near the junction of two tectonic plates - and is regularly hit by earthquakes.
In September 1999, a powerful quake also hit southern Taiwan, killing an estimated 2,400 people.