An earthquake in southern Taiwan has disrupted power supplies in the capital, Taipei and caused the high speed rail service to be suspended.
There have been no reported deaths but several injuries from falling objects.
The US Geological Survey said the 6.4 magnitude quake hit about 70 km (43.5 miles) from southern Kaohsiung city.
Four years ago a 6.7 magnitude quake in the area severed undersea cables and disrupted telephone and Internet service throughout Asia.
Several fires broke out after the latest quake, including one in a textile factory in the southern city of Tainan, which sent out huge clouds of smoke and stalled lifts.
Services on the southern half of Taiwan’s high-speed rail linking Taipei with the south were stopped pending safety checks. Subway service in the city of Kaohsiung was temporarily disrupted.
Power outages hit Taipei and at least one county to the south, and telephone service in some parts of Taiwan was patchy.
Buildings swayed in the capital when the quake struck.
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I just want to get home….Taipei protesters get wild on the Taipei Metro MRT how to protest in Taiwan
Monday, Aug 10, 2009
Taiwan was struck by an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter Scale and was unusually close to the surface. Many people were killed and trapped in the town of Puli and rescue work continued throughout the night.
Taiwan was struck by an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter Scale and was unusually close to the surface. Many people were killed and trapped in the town of Puli with extensive damage caused to buildings and roadways.