Search and rescue teams in Taiwan on Thursday intensified operations to find 58 people who were reported missing after a 6.4-magnitude quake hit the island earlier this week. The number of deaths in Tuesday's quake has raised to nine while 268 people were injured, according to the National Fire Agency, reports Efe news. The figures are expected to rise.

On Wednesday night, a 5.7-magnitude tremor was recorded, leading to panic among families of the missing people. Authorities have provided aid and shelter to the displaced people while the families of the victims have been given compensation.

Authorities in Hualien have began investigating the 12-storey Yun Men Tsui Ti building which left leaning at more than 30 degrees after the quake.

It is being ascertained if the building, constructed in 1995, where six of the nine deaths took place, had completed construction norms, including earthquake-resistance standards.

Taiwan is located on the "Pacific Ring of Fire," an area known for its intense seismic activity, and was hit by a 7.6-magnitude earthquake in 1999 that killed at least 2,415 people.(IANS)

A damaged building is seen after an earthquake hit Hualien
A damaged building is seen after an earthquake hit Hualien Reuters
A child rides a bicycle on a fractured road after an earthquake hit Hualien
A child rides a bicycle on a fractured road after an earthquake hit Hualien Reuters
A supvivor carries out of cello
A supervivor carries out a cello and a guitar from a collapsed building. Reuters
Construction engineer inspects a collapsed building in Taipe.
Construction engineer inspects a collapsed building in Taipe. Reuters
Rescue workers remove a crashed car from a collapsed construction crane in Taipei.
Rescue workers remove a crashed car from a collapsed construction crane in Taipei. Reuters
Rescue workers remove car crashed in Taiwan Earthquake
Rescue workers remove car crashed in Taiwan Earthquake Reuters
School children practice anti-earthquake skill in Taipei
School children practice anti-earthquake skill in Taipei. Reuters
Car crashed in Taiwan earthquake
Car crashed in Taiwan earthquake Reuters
Residents try to retrieve their belongings in Tungshih.
Residents try to retrieve their belongings in Tungshih. Reuters
Residents queue up for food at temple in Tungshih.
Residents queue up for food at temple in Tungshih. Reuters
Taiwanese soldiers handle relief in Tungshih for earthquake victims
Taiwanese soldiers handle relief in Tungshih for earthquake victims. Reuters
Aerial view showing smoke rises from collapsed building in PU LI.
Aerial view showing smoke rises from collapsed building in PU LI. Reuters
Japanese rescue team check for survivors after earthquake in PULI.
Japanese rescue team check for survivors after earthquake in PULI Reuters
Taipei earthquake
TAIPEI, Feb. 8, 2018 (Xinhua) -- An excavator is seen at the damaged Yun Men Tusi Ti building in Hualien, Taiwan, Feb. 8, 2018. Four tourists from the mainland had been confirmed dead as of Thursday morning after a magnitude-6.5 earthquake hit Taiwan's Hualien County. Rescuers said five other mainland tourists are still trapped in the damaged Yun Men Tusi Ti building, including four adults and one child. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei/IANS) IANS