Hideous 16ft giant sea monster emerges after being woken by earthquake

And the so-called "earthquake fish" is freaking locals out after emerging just two hours after seismic activity struck island nation Taiwan.

According to folklore, it is said to appear just before a quake hits - sending people into a panic.

Also dubbed the "king of herrings", oarfish can reach a mammoth 11 metres (36ft) in length.

The sea beast, was captured in waters off Taiwan's eastern Kangle Village, in Hualien County.

Although oarfish are traditionally a bad omen it was a lucky haul for the fisherman after he chopped up the trophy catch and turned it into soup.

The bizarre creature appeared after the southern city of Tainan experienced two quakes measuring around 4.5 on the Richter scale.

It comes just weeks after a devastating 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Tainan City claiming the lives of 117 people and leaving 550 hurt.Disaster struck on the eve of the Chinese New Year celebrations in February.

And it follows a string of devastating earthquakes hitting Ecuador and Japan in rapid succession. 

The killer quake in Japan also saw a weird mystery foam invading city streets. 

(dailystar.co.uk)