Earthquake strikes near Taiwan shaking buildings in the capital Taipei

UGS

An earthquake shook buildings in Taiwan’s capital Taipei on Monday as a 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the country’s eastern coast.

There were no immediate reports of damage.

The quake had a depth of 17.1 miles (27.5 km), with its epicentre off Taiwan's east coast, said its weather bureau.

The epicentre was roughly halfway between the coast of Hualien county and the southern Japanese island of Yonaguni, it added.

The quake could be felt across Taiwan, it said.

In Japan, the authorities said a magnitude 6.6 quake struck off the southern and westernmost island of Yonaguni, where as Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau said the earthquake was 6.1 magitude.

Preliminary measurements can often differ immediately after a quake and can be revised after further analysis.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency reassured the public that there was no danger of a tsunami, saying the quake at 3:23 pm local time (6.23am) struck 12 miles below the sea surface.

The agency said there may be small swelling of the water but there was no danger of a tsunami.

Taiwan lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and is prone to earthquakes.

More than 100 people were killed in a quake in southern Taiwan in 2016, while a 7.3 magnitude quake killed more than 2,000 people in 1999.

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