TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP) — A 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan's southeastern coast on Sunday, the United States Geological Survey said, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami warning.

The quake hit at 2:44 p.m. about 50 kilometers north of the city of Taitung at a depth of 10 kilometers, the USGS said.

A 6.6 magnitude quake hit the same region on Saturday and there have been multiple tremors since with Sunday's the strongest by far.

Japan's Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami advisory to remote islands near Taiwan.

Waves as high as one meter were expected to arrive around 4 p.m., it added.

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