5.6-magnitude quake shakes buildings in Taiwan

TAIPEI (AFP) - A shallow 5.6-magnitude earthquake shook buildings in Taiwan's capital Taipei on Thursday, the US Geological Survey said, but there were with no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The quake struck at 11:36 am local time, 36 km northwest of Hualien city on the east coast, at a depth of just 9 km, the USGS said.

Taiwan's Seismology Centre said the tremor was felt across the island, confirming the 5.6 magnitude, but the National Fire Agency said there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

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