6.6-magnitude earthquake hits Taiwan, tremors felt across East Asia

Taipei: An earthquake struck Taiwan on Saturday evening. The earthquake measured 7 on the Richter scale. Its epicenter was 20 km from Su'ao Township in Yilan County. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake was also felt in Japan, the Philippines, and China.

What the Taiwan Meteorological Bureau said

The Taiwan Meteorological Bureau reported that a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck late Saturday night, approximately 32 km (20 miles) off the coast of Yilan, a northeastern coastal city of Taiwan. It further stated that the earthquake shook buildings in the capital, Taipei, and had a depth of 73 km (45 miles). The National Fire Agency said that damage assessments are underway.

What the Taipei government said

The Taipei city government said there were no immediate reports of major damage. Meanwhile, Taiwan Power Company said that power was temporarily cut to more than 3,000 homes in Yilan.

Taiwan's earthquake history

Taiwan is located near the junction of two tectonic plates and is prone to earthquakes. More than 100 people were killed in an earthquake in Taiwan in 2016. In 1999, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake killed more than 2,000 people.