5.7 magnitude earthquake hits Taiwan, one day after deadly quake topples buildings

7 people are dead and nearly 70 are still missing after last night’s violent quake

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit the Taiwanese city of Hualien just before midnight on Wednesday night, almost exactly 24 hours after a 6.4 magnitude quake shook the city, causing buildings to collapse and killing at least seven people, while injuring another 257.

This most recent earthquake occurred in the same spot as did the last one — about 21 kilometers northeast of Hualien in the East China Sea. It hit as rescuers continued to search for 67 people still listed as missing from yesterday’s natural disaster.

At this point, the damage of this latest quake is not yet known. Tuesday night’s violent tremors caused the collapse of multiple large buildings, trapping dozens of residents inside.

Emergency responders have been able to rescue more than 150 people, but their efforts have complicated by a series of powerful aftershocks. Taiwan lies near the junction of where two tectonic plates meet and is regularly hit by earthquakes.

So far this month, the island has been rocked by more than 100 quakes.