Jump directly to the content

A TSUNAMI warning has been issued after a powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake shook Taiwan.

The strong tremors caused train carriages to derail and a building to collapse as rescue workers attempt to free those trapped.

A collapsed building following the earthquake in Taiwan
2
A collapsed building following the earthquake in TaiwanCredit: @celialovealex/Twitter
US authorities have issued a tsunami warning following the quake
2
US authorities have issued a tsunami warning following the quakeCredit: @celialovealex/Twitter

Tremors could be felt across Taiwan, the country's weather bureau said - with the epicentre in the city of Taitung.

It came just hours after another 6.4 magnitude quake on Saturday evening struck the same area.

Two people were trapped in a building after it collapsed, while rescue teams scrambled to help three people who fell off a damaged bridge.

The Taiwan Railways Administration said three carriages came off the rails at Dongli station in eastern Taiwan after part of the platform canopy collapsed.

More world news

Around 20 passengers aboard had to be evacuated.

The US Tsunami Warning Centre issued a warning in Taiwan following the tremor.

It said hazardous tsunami waves were possible within 300 km of the epicentre along the coasts of Taiwan.

Japan's weather agency issued a warning for tsunami waves of 1 metre for part of Okinawa prefecture following the earthquake.

Taiwan lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and is prone to earthquakes.

More than 100 people were killed in a quake in southern Taiwan in 2016, while a 7.3 magnitude quake killed more than 2,000 people in 1999.