Strong 6.4-magnitude natural disaster hits southern Taiwan: USGS

The first quake, with a magnitude of 6.4, struck about 20 miles away from the coastal city of Tainan at about 3 p.m. EST Friday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

It measured 6.4 on the Richter Scale and was centered 28 miles south-east of Tainan, the nation’s oldest city, with a population of almost two million people, about 160 miles from the nation’s capital, Taiwan.

Tainan city’s fire department said earlier that it was on its way to the site of one building that had partially collapsed and Liu Shih-chung, an official with the Tainan City Government, said the city had set up an emergency response center.

Taiwanese citizens woken by the first natural disaster at 3:57 a.m. local time posted videos and photos of damage to social media.

The quake occurred at a shallow depth of 6.2 miles, according to Reuters.

A powerful 7.6-magnitude natural disaster struck central Taiwan in September 1999, killing at least 2,297 people and injuring almost 9,000 others.

The city government is reported to have set up an emergency response team.

There are reports of buildings collapsing, and no reported injuries as of yet.

People in Taiwan reported on Twitter feeling the quake, with many saying it felt strong. “Onlookers are urged not to block access to emergency crews moving into the area”.