Update: ●Feb. 9: Death toll rises to 40 in southern Taiwan earthquake
Taipei, Feb. 6 (CNA) The 6.4-magnitude earthquake that hit southern Taiwan early Saturday morning has killed 14 people, injured 484 and left 153 unaccounted for as of 9 p.m., according to statistics by Taiwan's rescue authorities.
The earthquake, centered in Kaohsiung's Meinong District, struck at 3:57 a.m., toppling nine buildings, all in the neighboring Tainan City.
Rescuers, who rushed to the disaster area from all corners of the country, have rescued 348 people, and search and rescue efforts are still ongoing for the 153, who have remained unaccounted for, according to the Central Emergency Operation Center.
A total of 4,881 rescuers, 24 rescue dogs, 146 vehicles and five helicopters have taken part in the post-quake rescue operations, center tallies showed.
Meanwhile, donations from local business sector and non-governmental organizations have been pouring in for the relief measures of the victims and the reconstruction of disaster area.
(By K.H. You and Bear Lee; click here for the full coverage of the earthquke aftermath.)enditem/BL
