Moderate earthquake hits off Taiwan; no damage

An earthquake has struck off the northeastern coast of Taiwan, causing buildings to sway briefly but no casualties or damage. The Central Weather Bureau says today's magnitude 5.2 quake was centred 25 miles (40 kilometres) from the city of Ilan at a depth of 10 miles (17 kilometres).

An earthquake has struck off the northeastern coast of Taiwan, causing buildings to sway briefly but no casualties or damage. The Central Weather Bureau says today's magnitude 5.2 quake was centred 25 miles (40 kilometres) from the city of Ilan at a depth of 10 miles (17 kilometres).

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Buildings swayed in Taipei when the quake hit, but there were no reports of casualties or damage anywhere on the island. Earthquakes frequently rattle Taiwan but most are minor and cause little or no damage. However, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake in central Taiwan in 1999 killed more than 2,300 people.