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Taiwan quake death toll rises to 5 - UPDATED

Taiwan quake death toll rises to 5 - <span style="color: red;">UPDATED

06 February 2016 03:54 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. The Tainan city emergency response center says the death toll in Saturday's 6.4-magnitude quake has risen to five, APA reports quoting Associated Press.

.The center still lists 155 people as injured, but the news website ET Today is reporting the number has climbed to 318 people hospitalized.

ET Today is also reporting that Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou has arrived in Tainan on Saturday morning and asked rescuers to make all-out efforts.

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04:14

Baku-APA. A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck southern Taiwan early on Saturday near the city of Tainan, the U.S. Geological Survey said, APA reports quoting Reuters.

The quake, initially reported as a magnitude 6.7, was centered 27 miles (43 km) southeast of Tainan, a city of nearly 2 million people.

The USGS said the quake was very shallow, at depth of 6.2 miles (10 km), which would have amplified its effects.

People in Taiwan reported on Twitter feeling the earthquake, with many saying it felt strong.

Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau also measured a second quake of 4.3 magnitude centered in Tainan.

According to the USGS, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake can cause severe damage.