Earthquake topples buildings in Taiwan city of Tainan
An earthquake has toppled a number of buildings in the south Taiwanese city of Tainan, with rescue teams trying to reach people trapped in rubble.
There were no immediate reports of casualties after the magnitude 6.4 quake struck early on Saturday.
Reports suggest at least four buildings have come down, including a high-rise residential building. More than 100 people have so far been rescued.
President Ma Ying-jeou is on his way to Tainan, a city of two million people.
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.
Pictures on social media show an eight-storey block in the process of collapsing.
There are also reports of power outages.
Saturday's quake was felt in the capital Taipei 300 km (200 miles) away and there have since been several aftershocks.
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.
AP
EPA
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