Quakes in Central Region Leave 3 Dead

Several moderate earthquakes hit central Taiwan, killing three people and triggering landslides, officials said. The casualties were caused by temblors that jolted Taichung county, about 80 miles south of the capital, Taipei. A hotel worker died in the town of Kukuan during the quakes, the Central News Agency reported. Details were not available on the other deaths. Fire officials said 12 people were injured and 39 others stranded after landslides blocked mountain roads. Television news reports showed trees felled by the quakes and boulders blocking roads. The most severe quake was a magnitude 5.3 centered northeast of a lake resort. Five more earthquakes followed near the city of Taichung and the lake resort.