Earthquake Shakes Taiwan

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 has shook much of Taiwan.

Local television reported one building had collapsed near the capital.

The epicentre of the quake was about 25 km (15 miles) southeast of Hengchun on the islands east coast, Taiwans Central Weather Bureau said.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 6.4 and was measured at a depth of 44 km (27 miles).

There were no immediate reports of tsunami warnings.

Buildings shook for about 30 seconds in the capital Taipei and the central city of Taichung. Local television said a building had collapsed near Taipei but gave no other details.

Earthquakes occur frequently in Taiwan, which lies on a seismically active stretch of the Pacific basin.

One of Taiwans worst-recorded quakes occurred in September
1999.