Najib extends condolences to families who lost loved ones in Taiwan quake disaster

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has extended condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the earthquake disaster that hit the city of Tainan in Taiwan early today.

"I received news of the earthquake which hit Taiwan early today. My condolences to the families and friends of those who perished in the disaster," Najib said in his latest posting on his Twitter and Facebook.

Najib said the Foreign Ministry will continue to monitor the situation to provide the latest updates even though no Malaysians were reported to be affected.

He advised Malaysians residing in Taiwan to be always in contact with the Malaysian Trade and Friendship Centre in Taiwan and follow all instructions and advice on safety by the authorities there.

"If you have an emergency, have family members or friends in Taiwan, you can contact the Malaysian Trade and Friendship Centre in Taipei at telephone number +886227132626 for more information," he said.

Meanwhile, Wisma Putra in a statement confirmed that no Malaysians were affected in the earthquake.

The statement said there were Malaysian citizens and students living in the earthquake-stricken areas, but higher education institutions and schools were all closed for winter break and would only reopen on Feb 15.

It said most of the Malaysian students there were either on vacation or had returned to Malaysia to celebrate Chinese New Year.

The earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale hit Taiwan at 28km north east of the Pingtung region at 3.57 am.

The international media reported that at least eleven people were killed in the earthquake, including a 10-day-old baby girl, while 35 people were feared trapped.