A major earthquake struck southern Taiwan on Tuesday, triggering a tsunami of up to 1m that could hit the Philippines, Japan’s Meteorological Agency said.
There were no immediate reports of damage from southern Taiwan. The United States Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 7,1 and occurred at a depth of 10m.
The epicentre was off the Hengchun Peninsula on the island’s southern tip and 90km south-southeast of Taiwan’s second city, Kaohsiung.
Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau on its website confirmed two earthquakes, the first of 6,7 magnitude and a second of 6,4.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency said a tsunami of up to 1m might hit the Philippines.
But Philippine authorities said there was little likelihood of the tsunami reaching its shores.
”There is no reason to raise a tsunami alert because there is no threat,” said Anthony Golez, spokesperson for the government’s National Disaster Coordinating Committee.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said no Pacific-wide tsunami was expected, although a local tsunami was possible.
In Taiwan television channel TVBS reported smoke, but no fire at Chinese Petroleum Corp Talin oil refinery located near Kaohsiung. — Reuters