Hotel caves in after Taiwan hit by deadly earthquake

At least four people have died and more than 140 are said to be missing after an earthquake hit Taiwan.

Rescuers are continuing their efforts to locate victims after the 6.4-magnitude quake struck on Tuesday night.

Around 225 people were injured by the earthquake, two dozen of the critically, according to Taiwan's Central News Agency.

A number of buildings in the city of Hualien were pictured tilting precariously in the aftermath.

Local media reported that the ground floor of the Marshal Hotel had caved in, trapping guests inside.

The US Geological Survey said the quake struck about 13 miles northeast of the island's east coast.

Other photos showed parts of roads and highways fractured.

The force of the tremor buckled roads and disrupted electricity and water supplies to thousands of households.

Firefighters could be seen climbing ladders hoisted against windows as they sought to reach residents inside apartments.

Local media said all but two of the 145 people who could not be reached might be in the Yunmen Cuiti building, a 12-story apartment building.

The earthquake followed another over the weekend off the coast of Hualien, which lies along the famed "Pacific Rim of Fire" known for seismic activity from Alaska to Southeast Asia.

The quake came exactly two years after a quake struck southern Taiwan, causing the collapse of an apartment complex and the deaths of 115 people.