6.5 magnitude quake hits Taiwan
TAIPEI — A 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck off northeast Taiwan Sunday, Taiwanese seismologists said, swaying buildings in the capital but there were no immediate reports of damage or tsunami warnings.
The US Geological Survey however measured the quake at a much weaker 5.5.
The undersea quake hit at 11:23 local time (0323 GMT) about 141.4 kilometers (84 miles) east of the northern city of Keelung at a depth of 221.4 kilometers, the Seismology Center said.
The quake was felt islandwide and buildings in Taipei shook but the National Fire Agency said there were no casualties or damage.
Taiwan is regularly hit by earthquakes as the island lies near the junction of two tectonic plates.
In September 1999, a 7.6-magnitude tremor killed around 2,400 people in the deadliest natural disaster in the island’s recent history.
