A powerful typhoon has ripped into Taiwan, injuring residents, crippling transport and forcing the evacuation of thousands of people from mountainous areas prone to landslides.

The US Geological Survey said a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck off the southeast coast of Taiwan.

A powerful 6.4-magnitude earthquake rocked southern Taiwan today, causing widespread damage and disrupting communications around the island.

A helicopter carrying five crew members and a nurse crashed into a mountain while on a mission to rescue villagers whose homes were destroyed by a typhoon, Taiwanese TV stations said today.

A TYPHOON-spawned mudslide engulfed a mountain village in southern Taiwan, burying up to 600 people, a police official and a rescued villager said.

Telephone and internet services were disrupted across Asia today, hours after a powerful earthquake struck the southern part of Taiwan, killing two and triggering a regional tsunami alert.

Taiwan’s wheelchair-bound first lady was rushed to hospital early today after she passed out during the first session of her fraud and forgery trial.

A tour bus crashed into a steep ravine in a mountain area in southern Taiwan, killing 22 and seriously injuring 24 others, officials said today.

A China Airlines passenger jet dumped its fuel after takeoff and returned to Taiwan for an emergency landing today when one of its engines vibrated strongly.