Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/02/18
By: Tang Pei-chun and Frances Huang

Taipei, Feb. 18 (CNA) The government of the Republic of China Thursday expressed gratitude to more than 70 foreign countries and international organizations which sent condolences to those affected by a strong earthquake hitting southern Taiwan in the early morning of Feb. 6.

A 6.4-magnitude quake rocked southern Taiwan at 3:57 a.m. on Feb. 6, toppling more than 10 buildings, all in Tainan. The death toll reached 117 due to the collapse of the buildings, and out of the 117 deaths, 115 came from the toppled Weiguan Jinlong apartment complex, the structure hardest hit by the quake.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOEA) said that after the earthquake hit, the Taiwan government has received condolences from many foreign countries and international groups.

As of Feb. 17, the MOEA said the 22 countries which have formal ties with Taiwan had all sent condolences, while 49 others which have no diplomatic relations with Taipei had demonstrated their concern for the suffering of people in Taiwan due to the tremor.     [FULL STORY]