A popular tourist destination in Taiwan has been hit by a magnitude 6.4 earthquake, killing at least two people and injuring 114.
Several buildings have collapsed in the coastal city of Hualien including three hotels.
The government confirmed that three people were trapped inside the Marshal Hotel, with rescuers pulling people from the crumbling building.
There have been a number of aftershocks since the quake struck late on Tuesday, but no tsunami warning has been issued.
“Two people were unfortunately killed and 114 have suffered light or severe injuries,” Premier William Lai confirmed, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.
Meanwhile, the office of President Tsai Ing-wen confirmed work is underway to urgently repair the damage.
“The president has asked the cabinet and related ministries to immediately launch the ‘disaster mechanism’ and to work at the fastest rate on disaster relief work,” a statement said.
The nearby Taroko Gorge is popular with tourists
The eastern coast city located around 120 km south of capital Taipei is home to about 100,000 people.
It is popular with tourists because of its location on the east coast rail line and its proximity to the popular Taroko Gorge.
Taiwan is regularly hit by earthquakes. In the last three days, 100 smaller tremors are understood to have hit the area
This latest quake fell on the second anniversary of a quake of the same magnitude which killed over 100 people when it struck the southern city of Tainan.