A 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck off Taiwan’s northeastern coast late Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey said, the second strong tremor to hit the island in recent days.
Taiwan’s weather agency measured the quake at magnitude 7.0, saying it struck at 11:05 p.m. at a depth of 73 kilometers in waters off Yilan county, southwest of Taipei.
The Yilan County Fire Bureau said there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage. Buildings swayed in the capital, and the quake was felt across the island, according to local media.
The National Fire Agency said electricity was briefly disrupted in a town in Yilan, but no serious damage was reported. Taiwan Railway temporarily suspended four trains in Yilan, affecting more than 270 passengers. Taipei’s metro system slowed operations for about 20 minutes before normal service resumed.
Premier Cho Jung-tai urged the public to “remain vigilant and be mindful of the safety of your neighbours.” In a separate Facebook post, he said: “A strong earthquake struck an hour ago (23:05). After repeatedly checking the situation in various locations, thankfully, there were only minor incidents.”
Taiwan lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire and is frequently shaken by earthquakes. A 6.0-magnitude tremor struck the island’s southeast on Wednesday.
In April 2024, a 7.4-magnitude quake killed 17 people and caused severe damage around Hualien city. Officials said it was the strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan in 25 years and the most serious since the deadly 7.6-magnitude quake in 1999.