6.2-magnitude quake hits waters off Taiwan: CENC

BEIJING - A 6.2-magnitude earthquake jolted the waters off eastern Taiwan's Hualien County at 2:23 pm Monday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The epicenter was monitored at 24.01 degrees north latitude and 122.51 degrees east longitude. The earthquake struck at a depth of 16 km, the center said.

Tremors were strongly felt across the region. The island's meteorological agency said that five earthquakes above 6-magnitude have rattled the island this year, and aftershocks of 4 to 5 magnitude might occur in the following five days.

Subways in Taipei slowed down, and the city of Kaohsiung had a power failure, according to local media reports. No casualties have been reported so far.