Moderate earthquake strikes southern Taiwan

Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau says a moderate earthquake has struck the southern part of the island. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. It says the quake registered magnitude 5.6, while the US Geological Survey puts it at 5.4.

Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau says a moderate earthquake has struck the southern part of the island. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. It says the quake registered magnitude 5.6, while the US Geological Survey puts it at 5.4.

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The earthquake struck on Sunday morning at 11:52 am (0352 GMT), about 35 miles (60 kilometers) northeast of Kaohsiung, the island's second largest city. The epicenter is 165 miles (260 kilometers) south of the capital, Taipei.

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.