A strong earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale jolted Taiwan Tuesday, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The quake, which struck at 3:43 pm (0743 GMT), shook high-rise buildings in Taipei, sending jittery residents into the streets.

The quake was centred 86 kilometers east of the north-eastern coastal county of Ilan at a depth of 89 kilometers, said officials with the Central Weather Bureau's earthquake centre.

The officials said the earthquake was felt in most parts of Taiwan.

Police said initial checks showed no casualties or damage.

Earthquakes take place in Taiwan frequently because the island sits on a seismically active stretch of the Pacific basin, but most quakes occur under the sea.