4 injured in Taiwan earthquake

AP

Taipei: A large earthquake struck Taiwan on Saturday, causing some injuries and damage in the capital of Taipei as well as damage near the quake's epicentre.

The US Geological Survey said that the 6.4-magnitude quake was centred off the eastern coast of Taiwan, about 25 kilometres from Hualien. It struck at a depth of about 45 kilometres. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre did not immediately issue any warning.

Buildings shook in the capital for several seconds after the quake struck. Local TV reported at least four people in the capital had minor injuries, most resulting from falling debris. The reports said traffic at Taipei's subways and the island's high speed railroad was suspended.

TV stations also reported that windows were blown out in a Hualien hotel and that there was minor property damage in Taipei.

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. And in 2006 a 6.7-magnitude tremor south of Kaohsiung severed undersea cables and disrupted telephone and Internet service to millions throughout Asia.