Taiwan quake toll rises to 26

Taipei, Feb 7: The toll from a powerful 6.7-magnitude earthquake that struck southern Taiwan on Saturday has risen to 26 by Sunday. Of the total, 24 people have been died in the collapse of a 17-storey high-rise Wei Guan building, the most seriously damaged, located in Tain city, Xinhua news agency reported. The rescuers are continuing to rescue over 120 people who are still trapped in the debris of the building. The 6.7-magnitude earthquake hit Kaohsiung county on Saturday at a depth of 15 km. Some of the island’s high-speed rail lines have suspended operations. More than 600 rescuers, including fire fighters and volunteers, as well as 105 fire engines and 44 ambulances have been pressed into the rescue operation. (IANS)