Moderate quake hits Taiwan

Taipei: A shallow 5.4 magnitude earthquake hit the east coast of Taiwan today, the US Geological Survey said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The quake struck at 7:51 am local time centred 62 kilometres east of Hualien city at a depth of 20 kilometres, with tremors felt in the capital Taipei for a few seconds.

A 5.9 magnitude quake hit the same area on June 8, with no casualties.

But a strong 6.2 magnitude quake that struck the island on June 3 left two dead and 21 injured, and was also felt in Hong Kong, more than 700 kilometres away.

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