Asian markets tumble; Nikkei sheds 286pts

Asian markets have opened weak on the back of persistent weakness in the US indices.

The Hang Seng has slumped 932 points to 26,528. The Nikkei has plunged 286 points to 14,757.

The Taiwan Weighted index has shed 226 points at 8455. The Straits Times index has dropped 68 points to 3344, and the Seoul Composite index has declined 60 points to 1833.

The Shanghai Composite index has slipped 73 points to 5197.