Quake In Pacific, China Cut Off [websphere]

Asia avoided the tsunamis that were feared after an earthquake struck Taiwan on Tuesday night, but the Internet was a casualty of the temblor, which ruptured telecommunications cables under the Pacific.

Hong Kong and Mainland Chinese Internet users were disconnected from Western websites in the aftermath of the quake. Besides knocking out information websites – including Forbes.com – some of Hong Kong's online trading platforms were shut down by the quake.

The Hong Kong listed Tai Fook Securities Group, for example, announced in this afternoon that it was unable to provide timely Internet trading and quotations.

The 7.1 magnitude earthquake shock Taiwan at before 8:30 on Tuesday night. The quake struck 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) under the sea near Kaohsiung, leaving two people dead, at least 42 injured, a series of aftershocks and several cables broken under the sea.