Moderate earthquake strikes Taiwan

Taiwanese authorities say a 5.6-magnitude earthquake has struck just south of the island. There are no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

Taiwanese authorities say a 5.6-magnitude earthquake has struck just south of the island. There are no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

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The Central Weather Bureau says the quake struck at 4:57 am on Saturday (0857 GMT Friday). It was centered about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Pingtung county on Taiwan's southern coast, within 60 miles (95 kilometers) of the area hardest hit by Typhoon Morakot.

The storm hit two weeks ago and took at least 500 lives. 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.