TAIPEI — A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off Taiwan's east coast Friday morning, the United States Geological Survey said, with the island's government confirming there were no reports of major damage.

The tremor, which could be felt in the capital Taipei, hit at 7:35 am (2335 GMT) at a depth of 15 kilometers (about nine miles) near Hualien, epicenter of a major quake in April, according to the USGS. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration, which initially reported a 6.3-magnitude quake, issued a mobile phone alert warning people to 'keep calm and seek cover nearby.'