Taipei, Aug 16: On Friday morning, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off Taiwan’s east coast, according to the United States Geological Survey. The earthquake, initially reported as a magnitude 6.3 by Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration, occurred at 7:35 am local time (2335 GMT). It struck at a depth of 15 kilometers (about 9 miles) near Hualien city.

In response, the Central Weather Administration issued mobile phone alerts urging residents to “keep calm and seek cover nearby.” The National Fire Agency later confirmed there were no reports of damage. Taiwan, situated between two tectonic plates, experiences frequent earthquakes.

This quake follows a deadly 7.4-magnitude earthquake in April that resulted in 17 fatalities and significant damage near Hualien.