Taiwan Quake Kills At Least 7, Suspends Railway Traffic in China

At least eight people died and a number of residential buildings collapsed when a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit southern Taiwan early Saturday morning. The quake was originally reported as a magnitude 6.7.

Daylight in #Taiwan: rescuers pulled out 221 & 3 dead from ruins after shallow 6.4-magnitude #TaiwanQuake (Pic: @AP) pic.twitter.com/UKmqzP22g7

— Jon Williams (@WilliamsJon) February 6, 2016

Hundreds trapped in damaged buildings as 6.7-magnitude quake hits #Taiwan https://t.co/sJElxK1ts5 pic.twitter.com/pShiXBzGGC

— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) February 6, 2016

According to local television reports, multiple buildings have partially collapsed in Tainan, a city of two million people, and local authorities fear that as many as 250 people could remain trapped inside a collapsed 17-story building.

Power outages in many areas have been reported.

UPDATE: At least 7 killed in #Taiwan quake; Premier Li Keqiang sends condolences https://t.co/ZRZwYN7YYa pic.twitter.com/lRdvpfc7x3

— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) February 6, 2016

​Tremors were felt also in mainland China threatening to delay rail traffic in the southwest as workers checked for damage to a local railway, Xinhua news agency reported.

"@taispy: Earthquake we just had in Taiwan is no joke. Hope all are safe in Tainan: https://t.co/CYzGmvSzDV pic.twitter.com/9nYkn9ZWHY"

— Sandra Mendes (@madamexr) February 5, 2016

The US Geological Survey said the earthquake was centered 27 miles southeast of Tainan and occurred at a shallow depth of 6.2 miles, which likely amplified its effects.

Tainan #Taiwan earthquake damage. pic.twitter.com/CrW29ZAS3i

— Milwaukee Media (@MediaInMilwauke) February 5, 2016

​Located along the Pacific Rim, Taiwan frequently experiences mild to strong earthquakes.

Rescue workers search for survivors after #Taiwan hit by major earthquake. Death toll rises to 5 people. pic.twitter.com/DwDQBxwbni

— AJ+ (@ajplus) February 6, 2016

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A 7.6 magnitude quake struck the island in 1999, killing nearly 3,000 people and injuring roughly 9,000.