Quake Powerful Enough to Topple Buildings
A 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit the Taiwanese city of Tainan, killing at least 18 people, injuring more than 400 people.
According to media reports, the deadly quake toppled buildings when most people were at home asleep when it struck the Taiwanese city.
At least 200 people were rescued but 30 are still missing. Many more people are trapped under the rubble.
The quake’s damage appeared not to be widespread but it is powerful enough to topple buildings and even left high rise building leaning.
This is the second time that the Asian country was hit by a massive quake in the past 20 years. In 1999, a 7.6 magnitude quake killed more than 2,000 people.
Taiwan lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and often experiences tremors.
US Offers Condolences
In a press statement in Washington DC, Assistant Secretary John Kirby said the US is saddened by the loss of lives in Taiwan due to devastating earthquake last Friday morning.
“On behalf of the American people we express our deepest condolences over the recent devastation and loss of life caused by the earthquake in southern Taiwan.” – Mr. Kirby
Mr. Kirby said the heartfelt thoughts of the American people are with all those affected in Taiwan.
Rescue Is Underway
Today, firefighters and other rescuers are working day and night to rescue people who are still believed to be trapped under the rubble when the quake hit Tainan last Friday morning.
According to local media reports, around 130 people from the collapsed of 17-storey building could not be accounted for. There is a likelihood they are trapped under the rubble of the building.
A small number of people have been pulled out of the rubble so far. Some bables were resuced but at least one baby girld dies after too many hous trapped inside.
Deadly Construction Practices
It has been discovered that tin cans and styrofoam were used in parts of the building structure, a practice used by some construction companies to save money on concrete. The BBC showed evidence of tin cans and a series of blue cooking oil cans used as filler within the building.
