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Taiwan earthquake: Scores trapped in rubble in Tainan Taiwan earthquake: Scores trapped in rubble in Tainan
(about 1 hour later)
A total of 132 people remain trapped under the rubble of an apartment block in the south Taiwanese city of Tainan after an earthquake, officials say. A total of 132 people remain trapped under the rubble of an apartment block in the Taiwanese city of Tainan after Saturday's earthquake, officials say.
Rescue teams with sniffer dogs and listening devices have worked through the night to find survivors in the ruins of the 17-storey block. Rescuers said it would be possible to reach 29 of them, with the rest buried deeper inside the ruins of the 17-storey block.
Fourteen people are confirmed dead following the quake, which struck early on Saturday.Fourteen people are confirmed dead following the quake, which struck early on Saturday.
Nearly 350 people have been pulled alive from the rubble.Nearly 350 people have been pulled alive from the rubble.
The apartment block is one of several buildings that collapsed in Tainan city when the magnitude 6.4 quake struck.The apartment block is one of several buildings that collapsed in Tainan city when the magnitude 6.4 quake struck.
Among the dead was a newborn baby. Nearly 500 people were injured, at least 92 of whom remain in hospital.Among the dead was a newborn baby. Nearly 500 people were injured, at least 92 of whom remain in hospital.
President Ma Ying-jeou promised an "all-out effort" to rescue people.President Ma Ying-jeou promised an "all-out effort" to rescue people.
More than 800 soldiers have joined in the rescue effort, with the help of hi-tech equipment and rescue dogs, and shelters are due to be set up for those who have lost their homes in the city of two million people.More than 800 soldiers have joined in the rescue effort, with the help of hi-tech equipment and rescue dogs, and shelters are due to be set up for those who have lost their homes in the city of two million people.
Leaning ruins
The 17 storeys of the Weiguan Jinlong (Golden Dragon) apartment complex, home to at least 256 people, crumpled down on each other as the quake took hold just before 04:00 (20:00 GMT on Friday).The 17 storeys of the Weiguan Jinlong (Golden Dragon) apartment complex, home to at least 256 people, crumpled down on each other as the quake took hold just before 04:00 (20:00 GMT on Friday).
Television pictures showed rescuers frantically trying to reach people trapped in the rubble, using ladders to climb over piles of debris.Television pictures showed rescuers frantically trying to reach people trapped in the rubble, using ladders to climb over piles of debris.
More than 200 people were rescued, but a baby, young girl and two adult men were among 12 in the complex who did not survive, officials said. Elsewhere in the city, at least two other victims were killed by falling debris.More than 200 people were rescued, but a baby, young girl and two adult men were among 12 in the complex who did not survive, officials said. Elsewhere in the city, at least two other victims were killed by falling debris.
Interior Minister Chen Wei-jen said investigators would examine whether the building's construction met requirements.Interior Minister Chen Wei-jen said investigators would examine whether the building's construction met requirements.
Residents told how they were able to escape from their homes in the block.
"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.
One Tainan resident said his bed had turned over as the wall collapsed. "My home completely turned into debris. I was really frightened as I have never seen such an earthquake," he said.
A 35-year-old woman described how she and her two children were pulled from the rubble.
"Rescue workers broke through [the building] layer by layer. And they asked us to climb out but I said my children are too small to climb. So they dug a bigger hole. Then one rescue worker tried his best to climb in and take the children out. Then I slowly climbed out myself," she said.
The quake was shallow, meaning its effects would have been amplified, the US Geological Survey said.The quake was shallow, meaning its effects would have been amplified, the US Geological Survey said.
There have also been at least five aftershocks. The quake was felt in the capital Taipei, 300km away. There were also at least five aftershocks. The quake was felt in the capital Taipei, 300km away.
Although the damage does not appear to be widespread, a number of tall buildings have been left leaning precariously.
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.
China has offered assistance although at the moment at least, given the relatively limited scale of the disaster, it does not look as if much outside help is needed, the BBC's John Sudworth reports from Beijing.China has offered assistance although at the moment at least, given the relatively limited scale of the disaster, it does not look as if much outside help is needed, the BBC's John Sudworth reports from Beijing.
Back in 1999, when a 7.6 magnitude quake killed more than 2,300 people in central Taiwan, a similar offer of help from the mainland became embroiled in political wrangling, with Taiwan accusing China of exploiting the situation for its own political ends, our correspondent adds.Back in 1999, when a 7.6 magnitude quake killed more than 2,300 people in central Taiwan, a similar offer of help from the mainland became embroiled in political wrangling, with Taiwan accusing China of exploiting the situation for its own political ends, our correspondent adds.
Are you in Taiwan? Are you 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 you 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.
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