Magnitude 7.0 earthquake hits Taiwan

(Patria) - A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck an area about 32 kilometers off the northeastern coastal city of Yilan in Taiwan on Saturday, the Taiwan Meteorological Service announced on Saturday, with no immediate reports of major damage.

The earthquake, at a depth of 73 kilometers, was felt in northern Taiwan and shook buildings in the capital, Taipei, the meteorological service reported, classifying the earthquake as Category 4, meaning there could be minor damage.

The Taipei City Government said no major damage was reported immediately after the earthquake.

More than 3,000 homes in Yilan were briefly without power, Taiwan's power company said.

Taiwan is located near the junction of two tectonic plates and is prone to earthquakes.

More than 100 people were killed in an earthquake in southern Taiwan in 2016, while a magnitude 7.3 earthquake killed more than 2,000 people in 1999.