Strong earthquake strikes off Taiwan's east coast

A strong earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Taiwan today, rocking buildings in the capital Taipei.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The Central Weather Bureau measured the quake at 6.2-magnitude.

It put its epicentre 40 miles south-east of the city of Chengkung, about 80 miles south-east of Taipei.

Quakes frequently rattle Taiwan, but most are minor and cause little or no damage.

However, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake in central Taiwan in September 1999 killed more than 2,300 people, and last month a 6.7 offshore tremor south of the city of Kaohsiung severed two undersea cables and disrupted telephone and internet service to millions of users throughout Asia.