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Magnitude 5.9 earthquake strikes off southeastern Taiwan - USGS

(Reuters) - A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck off the southeastern coast of Taiwan near the city of T'ai-tung, the U.S. Geological Survey said on Friday. The quake, initially reported as a strong magnitude 6.3, struck at 4:06 a.m. on Saturday (2006 GMT on Friday). It was centred just 14 miles (22.5 km) east of T'ai-tung, the USGS said. It was shallow, only 15.7 miles (25 km) below the seabed, which would intensify its effects. A magnitude 5.9 quake is considered moderate and is capable of causing considerable damage. (Reporting by Sandra Maler in Washington; Editing by Eric Beech)