5.5-magnitude quake hits off Taiwan

A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck off eastern Taiwan on Saturday, the island's Seismology Center said, but there were no immediate reports of any damage or casualties. The tremor, which was also felt in the capital Taipei in the north, struck at 11:39 am (0339 GMT), 46.9 kilometres (29 miles) southeast of Hualien on the east coast, at a depth of 16.9 kilometres under the sea, the centre said. Taiwan lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and is regularly hit by earthquakes. In September 1999, a 7.6-magnitude tremor killed around 2,400 people in the deadliest natural disaster in the island's recent history.