6.1-magnitude earthquake strikes Taiwan, reports USGS

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off Taiwan's east coast early Friday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake, initially reported as a 6.3 magnitude by Taiwan's Central Weather Administration, occurred at 7:35 AM local time (2335 GMT) at a depth of 15 kilometers (about 9 miles) near the city of Hualien. The island's Central Weather Administration issued alerts urging people to stay calm and seek cover.

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No immediate damage reported

Taiwan's National Fire Agency confirmed around 8 AM that there were no immediate reports of damage. Taiwan is prone to earthquakes due to its location between two tectonic plates. The last major earthquake in Taiwan occurred in early April, with a devastating 7.4-magnitude quake that caused significant destruction and killed at least 17 people.