Taipei (AsiaNews/Agencies) – A powerful underwater quake registering 6.6 on the Richter scale was felt in Taiwan. The central meteorological office confirmed the event. So far no injuries or damages have been reported.
The tremor struck at 1:51 am and was centred 75 kilometres (46.5 miles) east of Nanao in northeastern coastal Ilan county at a depth of 27 kilometres. The quake, which could be felt in most parts of the island, swayed high-rise buildings and woke many people from their sleep. It was followed by an aftershock with a magnitude of 5.7 four minutes later.
Lu Pei-ling, a spokeswoman for the bureau's seismology centre, told reporters it was the most powerful quake this year. Taiwan, which lies near the junction of two tectonic plates, is regularly shaken by earthquakes..