Taiwan earthquake: Magnitude 5.7 quake SHAKES Taiwanese capital Taipei

A MAGNITUDE 5.7 earthquake has shaken Taiwan’s capital Taipei, according to the Central Weather Bureau.

taiwan earthquake

5.7 magnitude earthquake in Taiwan (Image: USGS)

The quake struck off the coast of Hualien County at 1:21pm (5:21am GMT) local time. No immediate damage or casualties were reported. The epicentre of the earthquake was located 84.4km southeast of the county government under the Pacific Ocean at a depth of 37.8km.

The tremor rocked buildings all over the Island including the capital.

There was some discrepancy as to the magnitude, with the the US Geological Survey declaring it 5.3 on the Richter Scale.

It also believed to have affected Japan.

Taiwan is located on the Ring of Fire, an area around the edge of the Pacific Ocean where tectonic plates rub together and most earthquakes in the world occur.

READ MORE: Earthquakes today MAPPED: MAJOR quakes POUND South America and Mexico

taipei earthquake

Earthquake near Taipei (Image: Central Weather Bureau)

It is also where most volcanoes are located.

According to the Bureau’s measures of intensity, Taitung County felt the shake the strongest (4 intensity) including the city of Chenggong.

In February last year, at least 917 people died and 285 were injured after a 6.4 magnitude quake struck near Hualien.

Of those that died, nine were from the People's Republic of China, five from Taiwan, two from Hong Kong of Canadian nationality and one from the Philippines.


The morning after a 6.4 magnitude quake hit the eastern Taiwanese city of Hualien, February 7, 2018 (Image: GETTY)

The quake caused buildings to collapse or become badly damaged and roughly 800 people had to be housed overnight in shelters in the coastal town.

A total of 14 the fatalities had been in The Yen Men Tsui Ti building, which was so damaged by the earthquake it stood at a 40-degree angle.

Taiwan is a disputed territory, with those living there proclaiming self-governance but mainland China claiming the island for its own. 

Tensions between the mainland and the island have threatened to rise in recent years.