Taipei earthquake: 6.7-magnitude tremor hits Taiwan capital

Tremors felt in northern parts of Taiwan but no immediate reports of injuries or damage

A 6.7-magnitude earthquake was felt in northern areas of Taiwan on 10 December 2020 (Central Weather Bureau)

An earthquake of magnitude 6.7 struck near Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, on Thursday afternoon. 

There were no immediate reports of damage, but Taipei-based The Independent contributor William Yang said it felt like a “huge earthquake”.

The epicentre of the quake was located 26km from the east coast of Yilan County. It was felt in northern parts of Taiwan, according to the country’s Central Weather Bureau.

Buildings shook briefly in the capital Taipei but there have been no reports of injuries or significant damage.

According to Mr Yang, the building he lives in “started to shake wildly”, adding that “most major cities and counties in Taiwan felt a magnitude 4 quake at this time”.

The quake struck at around 9.20pm at a depth of 77km (48 miles). Tremors of up to level 2 intensity were also felt in the Okinawa Prefecture of Japan, which is 735km from Taiwan, reported the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Some residents in Taipei took to Twitter to share their experiences, with those living in high-rise buildings reporting more severe tremors and others saying they felt minor shakes.

Taiwan is frequently hit by earthquakes as it is located on a seismologically active arc known as the Pacific Ring of Fire.