Taipei rejected Beijing’s offer for assistance in rescue operation after earthquake

Beijing. February 9. Silkroadnews - Taipei rejected Beijing’s offer for assistance in rescue operation after earthquake, according to South China Morning Post.
“Taiwan turned down an offer from Beijing to send a rescue team to the island after a powerful earthquake hit the coastal city of Hualien, killing at least seven people and injuring 257 others,” the report said.
The 6.4-magnitude earthquake occurred 21 kilometers north-east of the popular tourist town before midnight on February 6. As a result of the earthquake, four buildings collapsed trapping dozens of people, roads and bridges were damaged.
A few hours after Taipei rejected the offer of help another earthquake 5.7-magnitude occurred in the city of Hualien.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the second earthquake occurred at the same place as the first, at a depth of 11 km.
According to the police, at least 31 foreign tourists, including nine tourists from Japan, two from the Czech Republic, two from the United States and one from Denmark - were injured.