Moderate earthquake hits southwest Taiwan

A moderate earthquake took place in southwest Taiwan on Saturday, according to reports reaching here from Taiwan.

No damage or injuries were immediately reported. The 5.2-magnitude quake was centered about 16 kilometers south of Chiahsien, 250 kilometers southwest of Taipei, the Taiwan weather bureau said.

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

In September 1999, a 7.6-magnitude tremor in central Taiwan killed more than 2,300 people.

Source: Xinhua