TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Chiayi on Thursday at 10:11 a.m., with a depth of 10 km, according to the Central Weather Administration.

The epicenter was located 40.5 km southeast of Chiayi County Hall. In Chiayi County, the largest intensity recorded was level 5, while Chiayi City, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Yunlin, Nantou, Changhua, and Taichung saw intensity level 4, where tremors were felt most strongly.

Taiwan uses an intensity scale from 1 to 7, with higher numbers indicating stronger quakes. Intensity level 3 was observed in Taitung and Miaoli counties.

Pingtung, Hualien, Penghu, Yilan, and Hsinchu County recorded level 2. The lowest intensity, level 1, was reported in Hsinchu City, Taoyuan, and New Taipei.

A series of aftershocks followed the initial quake. At 10:13 a.m., a magnitude 3.4 earthquake struck 37.1 km southeast of Chiayi County Hall at a depth of 11.9 km, with an intensity level of 3.

The strongest aftershock occurred at 10:15 a.m., measuring 4.3 in magnitude and a depth of 12 km. The tremors were felt across nearby areas, with Chiayi County reporting an intensity level of 4.

Two additional tremors were recorded at 10:21 a.m. in the same area, with magnitudes of 3.3 and 3.2, respectively, at depths of 10.4 km and 10.7 km. Both were also felt at intensity level 4 in surrounding regions.