This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-35508475

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Deadly earthquake topples buildings in Taiwan city of Tainan Deadly earthquake topples buildings in Taiwan city of Tainan
(about 3 hours later)
An earthquake has toppled several buildings in the south Taiwan city of Tainan, killing at least three people. An earthquake has toppled buildings in the south Taiwanese city of Tainan, killing at least five people.
Rescue teams were trying to reach people trapped in rubble after the magnitude 6.4 quake struck early on Saturday as people were sleeping. Rescue teams have been trying to reach people trapped in rubble since the magnitude 6.4 quake struck just before 04:00 (20:00 GMT Friday).
A baby and one other person died after a high-rise residential block collapsed. More than 220 people have been rescued. A baby was among the dead when a high-rise residential block collapsed. At least 155 people were injured.
President Ma Ying-jeou is on his way to Tainan, a city of two million people. President Ma Ying-jeou promised an "all-out effort" to rescue people when he arrived in the city.
Shelters would be set up for those who had lost their homes in the city of two million people, he said.
The quake was shallow, meaning its effects would have been amplified, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.The quake was shallow, meaning its effects would have been amplified, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.
Television pictures show rescue workers frantically trying to reach people trapped in collapsed buildings, using ladders to climb over piles of rubble. There have also been at least five aftershocks.
Taiwan's official news agency said at least 23 people had been injured in the multi-storey residential building, where about 200 people were believed to be living in about 60 households. Leaning ruins
Tainan resident Emma told BBC World News people feared further tremors. "I felt the quake, it was terrible," she said. Although the damage does not appear to be widespread, a number of tall buildings have been left leaning precariously.
Television pictures showed rescue workers frantically trying to reach people trapped in collapsed buildings, using ladders to climb over piles of rubble.
More than 220 people have been rescued.
But Interior Minister Chen Wei-jen said he feared more people have been in the building than usual as families gathered to celebrate Chinese New Year.
Residents of the collapsed apartment block told how they were able to escape from their homes.
"I used a hammer to break the door of my home which was twisted and locked, and managed to climb out," one woman told local TV.
Another man tied clothes together to make a rope and lowered himself from the ninth floor to the sixth floor below, Apple Daily reports.
Irving Chu was in a hostel in central Tainan. He said he had been woken up by a tremor lasting about 40 seconds.Irving Chu was in a hostel in central Tainan. He said he had been woken up by a tremor lasting about 40 seconds.
"It was a violent jerking motion," he told BBC World News. "The entire room was shaking. We were just holding on to things. We were shaken up.""It was a violent jerking motion," he told BBC World News. "The entire room was shaking. We were just holding on to things. We were shaken up."
Barry Knapp, a British man in Taiwan, said he was 240km (150 miles) north of Tainan but still felt the tremor.Barry Knapp, a British man in Taiwan, said he was 240km (150 miles) north of Tainan but still felt the tremor.
"I was just in bed, about to fall asleep, and shaking started happening," he told BBC Radio 5 Live."I was just in bed, about to fall asleep, and shaking started happening," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"It was going on for about 20 to 30 seconds and it came in waves. It was shaking and then it eased off, but then it started shaking even harder.""It was going on for about 20 to 30 seconds and it came in waves. It was shaking and then it eased off, but then it started shaking even harder."
The earthquake struck as people were getting ready for Chinese New Year.
"It has come at a bad time," journalist Jay Chen told the BBC.
"Sunday is New Year's Eve. People were preparing to celebrate and now many people will be homeless."
There were also reports of power outages.There were also reports of power outages.
Saturday's quake was felt in the capital Taipei 300 km away and there have since been several aftershocks.Saturday's quake was felt in the capital Taipei 300 km away and there have since been several aftershocks.
A 7.6 magnitude quake in central Taiwan in 1999 killed more than 2,300 people.A 7.6 magnitude quake in central Taiwan in 1999 killed more than 2,300 people.
Taiwan lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and often sees tremors.Taiwan lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and often sees tremors.
Are you in Taiwan? Are affected by the issues raised in this story? If it is safe for you to get in touch, please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.Are you in Taiwan? Are affected by the issues raised in this story? If it is safe for you to get in touch, please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below