Quake of 5.6 magnitude hits Taiwan

A shallow 5.6-magnitude earthquake shook buildings in Taiwan's capital Taipei on Thursday, the US Geological Survey said.

Though no immediate reports of damage or casualties have been reported, the quake struck at 11:36 am (0336 GMT), 36 kilometres northwest of Hualien city on the east coast, at a depth of just nine kilometres, the USGS said.

Taiwan's Seismology Centre said that the tremor was felt across the island, confirming the 5.6 magnitude, but the National Fire Agency said there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

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

In September 1999, a 7.6-magnitude quake killed around 2,400 people in the deadliest natural disaster in the island's history.