Major earthquake hits southern Taiwan; no injuries reported as buildings sway in Taipei
By APWednesday, March 3, 2010
Major earthquake hits Taiwan, no injuries reported
TAIPEI, Taiwan — A powerful earthquake has hit southern Taiwan.
The Central Weather Bureau says Thursday’s 6.4-magnitude quake was centered in Kaohsiung county at a depth of 3.1 miles (5 kilometers). No injuries have been reported.
Buildings swayed as far north as the capital Taipei where the temblor has caused power outages. Taiwan’s cable news station TVBS reports the island’s high-speed rail service has been suspended.
Earthquakes frequently rattle Taiwan but most are minor and cause little or no damage.
However, a 7.6-magnitude temblor in central Taiwan in 1999 killed more than 2,300 people. In 2006 a 6.7-magnitude quake south of Kaohsiung severed undersea cables and disrupted telephone and Internet service to millions throughout Asia.
