Strong earthquake damages building, roads and bridges in Taiwan

Taipei, Sep 19 (FN Agency) At least three buildings collapsed, roads and bridges were damaged and train coaches derailed following a 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck southeastern Taiwan on Sunday.No casualties have been reported as the quake hit a sparsely populated area. Tremors were also felt in capital Taipei and the southwestern city of Kaohsiung. The relief and rescue works are being carried out on war footing. Water and electricity supplies in some areas were affected.

Weather bureau said, the epicentre of the quake was in Taitung county. United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake hit Taiwan at 2:44 pm about 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of Taitung at a depth of 10 kms.Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has Turged people to be vigilant for further aftershocks in the coming hours. A three-story 7-Eleven convenience store building collapsed in Hualien’s Yuli township. Two other buildings in the town collapsed but no one was inside them. Two nearby bridges collapsed while two others were damaged.