5.2-magnitude quake jolts Taiwan

A moderate earthquake struck Taiwan on Tuesday, shaking buildings in the capital, the Seismology Centre said, but there were no immediate reports of any damage or casualties.

The 5.2 magnitude tremor hit at 6:55 pm (1055 GMT), 9.6 kilometres (6.0 miles) northwest of Hualien city in the east, at a depth of 21.5 kilometres, the Seismology Centre said.

It could be felt by people across the island, the centre said.

Taiwan lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and is regularly hit by earthquakes.

A 5.9-magnitude quake in February sent people rushing onto the streets of the island's second-largest city of Kaohsiung and led to a temporary suspension of rail services, but no major damage was reported.

In September 1999, a 7.6-magnitude tremor killed around 2,400 people in the deadliest natural disaster in the island's recent history.

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