Taiwan's weather bureau said two earthquakes, the largest of which had a magnitude of 6.1, struck Hualien County in eastern Taiwan.
Earthquakes about 30 minutes apart shook buildings in Taipei.
The agency also said the first quake had a focal depth of 24.9 km and occurred just off the coast of Hualien, while the second quake had a magnitude of 5.8 and a focal depth of 18.9 km, also in the same area.