Taiwan earthquake: Toddler among 240 rescued from collapsed buildings after 6.4 magnitude quake

At least 11 people have died as a result of the earthquake

Firefighters rescuing toddler from collapsed building (EPA)

This toddler was one of at least 240 people rescued by emergency services from a collapsed residential complex after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan.

The earthquake struck Tainan City in Southern Taiwan around 4am while most people were home asleep.

Tainan City has a population of around two million (EPA)

The current death toll from the high-rise Wei Guan residential complex stands at 11 with about eight more still reported missing.

More than 1,200 firefighters were involved in the rescue of trapped residents using ladders, cranes and other equipment to climb the ruins of the formerly 17-storey complex.

The emergency response center said seven people were killed, including a 10-day-old infant, a small child and at least two other residents inside a high rise building.

At least 11 people were killed in the earthquake (AP)

One death was caused by falling objects. No details were immediately available for the two additional deaths.

Recently-elected President Ma Ying-jeou has toured the city, pledging to build shelters for homeless residents.

Another swaddled toddler being rescued from the collapsed residential complex (AP)

Second-hand car salesman Lin Bao-gui said: "It first starting shaking horizontally, then up and down, then a big shake right to left.

"I stayed in my bed but jumped up when I heard the big bang that was the sound of the building falling."

His cars were smashed when the residential complex across the street from him collapsed.

The disaster response center said 1,236 rescuers were deployed, including 840 from the army, six helicopters and 23 rescue dogs.

A man is rescued from his collapsed flat in Tainan City (EPA)

The quake was felt as a lengthy, rolling shake in the capital, Taipei, on the other side of the island with no obvious damage caused.

Residents in mainland China also reported that the tremor was felt there.

Questions have been asked whether the construction crew had cut corners when building the Wei Guan complex, which was finished in 1989.

Taiwan's interior minister, Chen Wei-zen, said an investigation would examine such allegations.

Earthquakes frequently strike Taiwan, but most are minor and cause little or no damage.

However, a magnitude-7.6 quake in central Taiwan in 1999 killed more than 2,300 people.