Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jolts eastern Taiwan

Taipei, Jan. 16 (CNA) Taiwan was shaken by a magnitude 5.5 earthquake located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hualien County at 4:15 p.m. Sunday, according to the Central Weather Bureau.

The epicenter of the temblor was located at sea, 66.5 kilometers east-northeast of the Hualien County government complex, at a depth of 55.4 km, the bureau's Seismology Center said.

The earthquake's highest intensity, which gauges the actual effect of a temblor, was recorded in Hualien, Yilan, Nantou, and Taitung counties, where the quake measured 3 on Taiwan's 7-tier intensity scale, representing perceptible swaying of buildings.

The quake also measured an intensity of 2 in most parts of western Taiwan, including Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, and Taichung, the bureau said.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.