TAINAN, TAIWAN — Several people have been killed and hundreds more injured after a massive earthquake struck southern Taiwan, toppling at least one high-rise residential building, early Saturday morning, according to a BBC report.

The epicenter of the 6.4-magnitude earthquake, which struck just before 4 a.m. local time, CNN reported, was some 48 kilometers east of the southern city of Tainan.

The powerful earthquake toppled a 17-story building in Tainan housing some 200 people living in about 60 households.

The tremor reportedly lasted almost two full minutes.

At least 23 people are believed to have been injured following the collapse of the high-rise and more than 1,500 people were reportedly involved in efforts to rescue residents trapped in the rubble.

Despite the best efforts of emergency workers who saved more than 200 people, the building's collapse reportedly took the lives of four people, including a toddler and a 10-year-old girl, according to the BBC.

Rescue efforts continue as as many as 30 people may still be trapped inside as of reporting.

Authorities in Tainan are in the process of setting up shelters for those who lost their homes in the earthquake.