In TAIPEI a magnitude 5.6 earthquake shook northeastern Taiwan on Tuesday afternoon, briefly rattling buildings in the capital and other parts of the island, authorities said but, there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The tremor struck at 12:37 p.m. local time just off the coast of Yilan County, with its epicentre about 16.9 km east-southeast of Yilan’s county government and at a depth of nearly 67 km, according to the island’s Central Weather Administration (CWA).

Buildings in Taipei and northern Taiwan felt the quake, though its depth likely reduced surface impact and emergency services reported no structural damage or casualties.

Taiwan sits near the junction of two major tectonic plates and experiences frequent seismic activity. Stronger earthquakes in the past have caused significant harm, including a devastating 7.3-magnitude quake in 1999 and deadly temblors in later years.

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