TAIPEI, Aug 16, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off
Taiwan's east coast Friday morning, the United States Geological Survey said,
with the island's government confirming there were no reports of major
damage.

The tremor, which could be felt in the capital Taipei, hit at 7:35 am (2335
GMT) at a depth of 15 kilometres (about nine miles) near Hualien, epicentre
of a major quake in April, according to the USGS.

Taiwan's Central Weather Administration, which initially reported a 6.3-
magnitude quake, issued a mobile phone alert warning people to "keep calm and
seek cover nearby".

In Hualien, two people trapped in elevators during the quake were rescued,
according to the local fire bureau.

But the National Fire Agency said there was no major damage and that the
island's high-speed trains, rail and metro systems were all operating
normally.

Still, the government urged vigilance in the wake of a 5.4-magnitude quake
that triggered an alert on Thursday.

"In response to the continuous earthquakes, the Ministry of the Interior
called on the public to remain vigilant, pay attention to the occurrence of
aftershocks, and be prepared for earthquakes," it said in a statement.

Taiwan experiences frequent earthquakes due to its location between two
tectonic plates.

The last major one occurred in early April when the island was hit by a
deadly 7.4-magnitude tremor that officials said was the strongest in 25
years.

At least 17 people were killed in that quake, which triggered landslides and
severely damaged buildings around Hualien.

April's earthquake was the most serious in Taiwan since it was struck by a
7.6-magnitude tremor in 1999.

Some 2,400 people died in that quake, making it the deadliest natural
disaster in the island's history.