Moderate earthquake hits off northeastern Taiwan

TAIPEI, Taiwan—Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau says a moderate earthquake has struck off the northeastern coast of the island. No casualties or damage were immediately reported.

The bureau says the magnitude-5.7 quake hit at 9:11 a.m. (0111 GMT) Saturday and was centered at sea 155 miles (250 kilometers) northeast of the capital, Taipei, with a depth of 86 miles (140 kilometers).

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. (report from Associated Press)