2024-08-17 13:02:55
A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the island of Taiwan on Friday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.
The epicentre of the quake, which struck at 7:35 a.m. (23:35 GMT on Thursday) and was previously estimated by Taiwan’s meteorological agency to have had a magnitude of 6.3, was located near the city of Hualien, on the island’s east coast, at a depth of 15 kilometres.
The local weather agency issued alerts to people’s mobile phones urging them to “stay calm and seek shelter nearby.”
The fire department issued a statement saying there were “no reports of damage” around 8 a.m.
The island is frequently hit by earthquakes due to its location between two tectonic plates.
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit the country in early April, the strongest tremor recorded in 25 years, according to authorities.
At least 17 people were killed in the quake, which triggered landslides and damaged several buildings near the epicenter, also located near Hualien.
