Taiwan quake death toll rises, rescue efforts continue

Rescue workers in Taiwan on Wednesday continued to search for trapped survivors after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake killed at least four people and left 82 others missing. The quake struck about 13 miles from the coastal city of Hualien, injuring more than 200 people. Taiwan’s official Central News Agency confirmed the casualties and said more than 40 of the missing people were trapped in the Yunmen Cuiti 12-story apartment building. Chen Tzai-Tung, a worker with the government disaster center, said the leaning building continued to tilt, making it unsafe for rescuers to enter. Video footage and photos showed several damaged buildings leaning at sharp angles with their lowest floors crushed into rubble. Taiwan’s National Fire Agency said the force of the tremor blocked roads and disrupted electricity and water supplies to thousands of households. At least 16 foreigners sustained injuries in the quake, including nine from Japan. Zhang Zhijun, China’s director of the country’s Taiwan Affairs office, said China is willing to send a rescue team to the affected region, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.