Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?

At least 11 dead after earthquake hits southern Taiwan

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Rescuers are seen entering an office building that collapsed on its side from an early morning earthquake in Tainan, southern Taiwan, Saturday. The quake's magnitude was 6.4, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Rescuers are seen entering an office building that collapsed on its side from an early morning earthquake in Tainan, southern Taiwan, Saturday. The quake's magnitude was 6.4, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

News services say at least 14 people, including a baby and a 40-year-old man, have been killed in an earthquake in Taiwan.

A magnitude 6.4 quake shook the southern city of Tainan just before 4 a.m. local time Saturday. The shallow quake caused severe damage to several large structures, including one residential building where authorities say hundreds live.

NPR's Elise Hu, in Taiwan, tells All Things Considered that residential building was 17 stories tall but collapsed down to the height of about four stories.

Authorities in Tainan say more than 150 people are being treated for injuries.

Teams have rescued at least 221 people from the rubble. The government has mobilized the army to help with those efforts.

President Ma Ying Jeou and President-elect Tsai Ing Wen have both cancelled Lunar New Year plans to head to Tainan.

"The timing is unfortunate because so many people were asleep in the [residences] that collapsed," Elise says.

She reports that news footage shows people escaping damaged buildings in their pajamas.

The transportation agency in Taiwan announced immediately that the trains in southern Taiwan would not be running. Elise notes that the halted trains will affect New Year holiday travel.

She adds that power is out to about 120,000 people in southern Taiwan.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake was about 14 miles deep and light tremors were felt along the island's entire west coast, up to the northern city of Taipei. Copyright 2019 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.