Two people were killed and 21 others injured, including three severely, as a 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit the island of Taiwan, violently shaking buildings in the capital Taipei and triggering a gas blast.
Following the powerful tremors, frightened people took to the
streets.
A male mountain climber was killed during the quake after being
hit by falling rocks on Mount Ali in central Taiwan, AFP
reported. The second victim also died after being knocked down by
falling rocks.
Authorities are now expecting more information on the extent of
damage or casualties.
It struck at 05.43 GMT, with the epicenter situated 32 km east of
central Nantou country.
The quake was also felt in Hong Kong, which is over 700 km away.
In the capital Taipei, buildings were also shook by the tremor.
Taiwan is located near the so-called ring of fire region of seismic activity around the Pacific Ocean.