Moderate quake shakes northeastern Taiwan

TAIPEI, Dec 14 (Reuters) An earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale rattled northeastern Taiwan today, causing buildings to sway in the capital, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The epicentre of the quake, which struck at 0710 hrs. (1640 IST) was about 39.7 km northeast of Ilan County, at a depth of 28.8 km, the Central Weather Bureau said in a statement.

Earthquakes occur frequently in Taiwan, which lies on a eismically active stretch of the Pacific basin.

One of Taiwan's worst-recorded quakes occurred in September 1999.

Measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, it killed more than 2,400 people and destroyed or damaged 50,000 buildings.

REUTERS BDP ND1724