Taiwan earthquake leaves 9 people dead: Strong aftershocks hinder search and rescue efforts

Taipei: A series of strong aftershocks have hindered search and rescue efforts on Thursday for victims and survivors of a magnitude-6.4 earthquake in Taiwan that left nine people dead and 226 others injured. The earthquake struck the eastern city of Hualien on Tuesday night, reports Efe news. Sixty-two people remain missing, likely trapped under the rubble of the residential-commercial Yunmen Cuidi building, which was tilting at an angle of almost 45 degrees, and the Meliun Hotel. [caption id=“attachment_4341323” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Rescuers continue efforts in Taiwan. Reuters[/caption] In the early hours of Thursday, local authorities issued an alarm for an aftershock which the US Geological Survey recorded as a 5.7-magnitude tremor. Taiwan’s Seismological Observation Centre has recorded about 200 aftershocks since Tuesday’s quake. Taiwan is located within the so-called “Pacific Ring of Fire”, an area known for its intense seismic activity. The country suffered a strong 7.6-magnitude tremor in 1999, which killed at least 2,415 people.