Strong earthquake strikes northern Taiwan

The quake, which could be felt in most of northern Taiwan, struck at 2.59am (AEST) and was centred 20km north of the northeastern city of Yilan at a depth of 95.7km, the bureau said.

"There were no reports of damage or casualties after we checked with local units," said an official of the National Fire Agency, which coordinates the island`s rescue work.

The US Geological Survey said the quake had a 5.3 magnitude and struck 40km southeast of capital Taipei.

Buildings in the Taipei area shook for about 10 seconds.

"Since it struck from a very deep epicentre, much of its strength was offset," Kuo Kai-wen, head of the Central Weather Bureau, said.

"It was an isolated temblor, had nothing to do with the earthquake which hit earlier in the day," he said, referring to a 6.4-magnitude quake that struck the northern Philippines and southern parts of Taiwan yesterday.

Taiwan, which lies near the junction of two tectonic plates, is regularly shaken by earthquakes.

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