Intense earthquakes in Japan and Taiwan

A strong seismic up to 6.7 Richter shook Taiwan and Japan this morning. There are no data on casualties and damage yet.

The earthquake occurred at 8:05 am from Hualien City, east coast of Taiwan, 188 km to the southeast. The epicenter is located at a depth of 11 km. The US Geographic Survey measures earthquake magnitude 6.7.

The earthquake this morning shook Japan and Taiwan.

The earthquake this morning also affected the southernmost of Japan. Naoto Oteke, a police officer on Ishigaki island, said no damage data is available. " Electricity, water and gas are still operating normally, " Oteke said, but warned people to avoid coastal areas.

Japan issued a tsunami warning and lifted this order 50 minutes later.

Taiwan has not recovered from Typhoon Morakot, the strongest in 50 years, causing landslides and widespread flooding. The head of island government Ma Ying-je estimated the final casualties could reach more than 500 people.

One of the worst earthquakes in Taiwan took place in September 1999. The magnitude 7.6-magnitude seismic then killed more than 2,400 people and destroyed 50,000 buildings.