Series of earthquakes hit eastern Taiwan

Taipei, March 21 (CNA) Four earthquakes ranging from 3.7 to 5.3 in magnitude struck Wanrung Township in eastern Taiwan's Hualien County 14 minutes apart Tuesday morning, according to the Central Weather Bureau.

The epicenter of the earthquakes was located around 50 kilometers southwest of Hualien County Hall, at a depth of 3.4 km to 8.3 km, the bureau's Seismology Center said.

The magnitude 5.3 temblor occurred at 9:45 a.m., followed by a magnitude 4.4 quake at 9:46 a.m., a magnitude 3.9 quake at 9:54 a.m. and a magnitude 3.7 quake at 9:59 a.m.

On Taiwan's 7-tier intensity scale, which gauges the actual effect of a seismic event, the magnitude 5.3 temblor measured 4 in Hualien and 3 in Nantou and Taitung.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.