Woman pulled out alive 52 hours after Taiwan quake

BEIJING -- A woman was pulled out alive from under the debris of a collapsed residential complex in Tainan city in southern Taiwan some 52 hours after a 6.7-magnitude quake struck the island. The woman surnamed Tsao had been trapped inside the seventh floor of the toppled Wei Guan building in Yongkang District of Tainan, which bore the brunt of the quake, along with seven members of her family before being rescued.

She was conscious but in critical condition.

Tsao was found on top of a mattress, partly shielded by her husband from falling beam columns. Her two-year-old son and her husband were already dead when found, rescuers said.

They are still scrambling over the wreck to search for the rest of Tsao's family.

At least 37 people have so far been confirmed dead in the quake which struck Saturday, just two days ahead of the traditional Chinese New Year, with over 100 people believed to be still buried under the rubble.

Of those killed -- including a 10-day old baby girl -- 35 were found in the 16-story Wei Guan building left on its side with twisted metal girders exposed.

The extended Lunar New Year holiday has officially started, but celebrations were subdued as family members stood around in the cold, waiting for news of missing relatives.

Taiwan is frequently rattled by earthquakes. Most cause little or no damage, although a 7.3-magnitude quake, the strongest to hit Taiwan in about 100 years left more than 2,000 people dead.