The death toll in the earthquake in Taiwan has reached nine.

Ednews informs via local media that 821 people have been affected.

****11:22

The earthquake on the eastern coasts of Taiwan has claimed seven lives, Ednews informs via Reuters.

Meanwhile, at least 711 people have been injured and 77 more are trapped in the damaged buildings.

****10:12

Taiwan's government said on Wednesday that 711 people had been injured in a 7.2 magnitude earthquake which struck earlier in the day, and that 77 people were trapped.

Ednews informs via Reuters that the death toll remained at four.

****09:00

A number of buildings were seriously damaged in the city of Hualian after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the east coast of Taiwan, Ednews informs, citing the TVBS channel.

The earthquake struck at 07:58 Beijing time (GMT+8) and was felt throughout Taiwan.

According to local seismologists, the epicenter of the earthquake was located 25 km south-east of Hualian city in the Pacific Ocean and at a depth of 15.5 km.

Before that, the Meteorological Service of the island reported that four more earthquakes of magnitude 5.4 occurred in the east of Taiwan.