Survivors pulled from quake rubble, many still missing

The search operations for more than 130 people believed trapped in the ruins of the building continued through the day. Over 22 people were confirmed dead. The emergency center in Tainan, the worsthit city, said that 171 people had been rescued from the building following the magnitude-6.4 quake that struck at dawn on Saturday. Media reports quoted Tainan Mayor Lai Ching-te as saying from the site of the building collapse that there was an estimated 124 still trapped, many at the bottom of the wreckage. 

Firefighters, police, soldiers and volunteers combed through the ruins, some using their hands, as temperatures dropped, watched anxiously by dozens of the victims’ family members who wore thick jackets, woollen hats and scarves.

The extent of damage to the Golden Dragon Building has raised questions. The spectacular fall of the 17-story high-rise immediately raised questions about its construction, and Taiwan’s interior minister said there would be an investigation. Nine other buildings in the city collapsed and five careened.