Strong Earthquake Hits Near Eastern Taiwan Coast; No Damage Reported

Officials say a strong earthquake has struck near the eastern coast of Taiwan. No casualties or damage have been reported.

Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau says the earthquake hit Sunday evening and was centered 13 miles (22 kilometers) from Hualien county, and about 85 miles (135 kilometers) southeast of Taipei. It says the quake registered magnitude 6.1, while the U.S. Geological Survey measured it at 5.6.

Earthquakes frequently hit Taiwan but most are minor and cause little or no damage.

However, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake in central Taiwan in 1999 killed more than 2,300 people.

Source: The Associated Press