5.9 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Taiwan

A 5.9 strong earthquake hit southern Taiwan on Sunday, according to the US Geological Survey.

There were no reports of major damage as a result of the tremor. Its epicentre was 35 miles east of Kaohsiung at a depth of 2.9 miles, according to USGS.

Taiwan television aired pictures of minor damage in the Pingtung area.

High-speed rail services were suspended in the southern city of Kaohsiung, north of Pingtung, according to an Associated Press report citing Taiwan television.

Taiwan was rattled by a major earthquake in 1999 with a magnitude of 7.6 which killed over 2,300 people.