Moderate earthquake hits northeastern Taiwan

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP): A Taiwan agency says a moderate earthquake has struck the northeastern coast of the island. No casualties or damage were immediately reported.

The Central Weather Bureau says the magnitude-5.7 quake hit at 4:35 p.m. (0835 GMT) Saturday. It was centered at the coast of Ilan county, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) south of the capital, Taipei.

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

However, a magnitude-7.6 quake in central Taiwan in 1999 killed more than 2,300 people.