Taiwan earthquake death toll rises to 98

TOKYO, Feb 12 (KUNA) -- The death toll of a 6.4-magnitude earthquake that hit south Taiwan last week has risen to 98 and 22 people remain missing, the Taipei-based Central News Agency reported Friday.
Of the 98 confirmed deaths, 96 were killed in the collapsed 16-story apartment complex in Tainan City, according to the National Fire Agency.
Twenty-two people are still believed to be trapped in the rubble of the collapsed residential building, the report said. The residential complex, which comprised around 200 housing units, was built in 1983.
The earthquake, centered in Kaohsiung City, rocked southern Taiwan in the early morning on February 6, toppling more than 10 buildings, and leaving 550 people injured.
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou on Friday attended a memorial ceremony in Tainan for people who were killed in the quake. Ma paid tribute to the deceased, greeting their relatives and expressing condolences to them. (end) mk.bs