Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Kate Ng

Taipei earthquake: 6.7-magnitude tremor hits Taiwan capital

Photograph: Central Weather Bureau

An earthquake of magnitude 6.7 struck near Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, on Thursday afternoon. 

There were no immediate reports of damage, but Taipei-based The Independent contributor William Yang said it felt like a “huge earthquake”.

The epicentre of the quake was located 26km from the east coast of Yilan County. It was felt in northern parts of Taiwan, according to the country’s Central Weather Bureau.

Buildings shook briefly in the capital Taipei but there have been no reports of injuries or significant damage.

According to Mr Yang, the building he lives in “started to shake wildly”, adding that “most major cities and counties in Taiwan felt a magnitude 4 quake at this time”.

The quake struck at around 9.20pm at a depth of 77km (48 miles). Tremors of up to level 2 intensity were also felt in the Okinawa Prefecture of Japan, which is 735km from Taiwan, reported the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Some residents in Taipei took to Twitter to share their experiences, with those living in high-rise buildings reporting more severe tremors and others saying they felt minor shakes.

Taiwan is frequently hit by earthquakes as it is located on a seismologically active arc known as the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.