Powerful earthquake topples buildings in Taiwan

A deadly earthquake has toppled buildings in the south Taiwanese city of Tainan, killing at least seven people.

Rescue teams have been trying to reach people trapped in rubble since the magnitude 6.4 quake struck just before 04:00 local time.

A baby was among at least four people killed when a high-rise block collapsed. More than 300 people have been injured.

President Ma Ying-jeou promised an "all-out effort" to rescue people.

On Saturday morning, live Taiwanese TV showed survivors being brought to rescue from the high-rise. The Taiwanese news website ET Today reported that a mother and a daughter were among the survivors, and that the girl drank her urine while waiting for rescue.

Dozens more people were evacuated from a market and a seven-floor building that was badly damaged, according to the official China Central News Agency.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake was centred 43km southeast of the city of nearly two million people.

The quake was very shallow, at a depth of just 10km, which would have amplified its effects above the surface, the USGS said.

At least five aftershocks of 3.8-magnitude or more shook Tainan about half an hour after the initial quake, according to Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau.

A report in Taiwan's China Post newspaper said: "Collapsed buildings reported in Tainan, with rescue workers arriving on scene.

"The city government there has set up a level one emergency response centre. Onlookers are urged not to block access to emergency crews moving into the area."