A strong quake hit eastern Taiwan on Thrusday, shaking buildings over a wide area including the capital. There were no immediate reports of serious damage or casualties.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake measured magnitude 6.6 and struck in the evening. It was centred in a remote mountainous area 45 kilometres south—southwest of the coastal city of Haulian at a depth of just 9.3 kilometres, it said.
In Taipei, buildings swayed for more than 10 seconds and startled residents ducked for cover. There appeared to be almost no damage in Hualian. However, it could take some time for the full impact of the quake to be evaluated because of the remoteness of the epicentre.
