Strong earthquake hits south Taiwan

TAIPEI / XIAMEN, Fujian - A strong earthquake struck southern Taiwan on Sunday morning causing widespread panic, although no deaths or injuries have been reported.

The earthquake, measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale, is the strongest one to hit the island in the past two years, and struck 30 kilometers northeast of Pingtung county at 10:34 am, said the China Earthquake Network Center.

It was followed by two tremors, measuring 4.0 and 4.2, within in a few minutes, according to Taiwan's meteorological authorities.