LANZHOU, China (Xinhua): A 5.5-magnitude earthquake jolted Tebo County in Gannan Tibetan Prefecture, northwest Gansu Province, at 2.56pm on Monday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Centre (CENC).
No casualties had been reported from the affected areas as of 3.30 pm, while cracks have been observed in some buildings, local authorities said.
The prefecture has activated a Level III emergency response for earthquake disasters.
Currently, Tebo County is organising the urgent relocation of people from hazardous areas and working to fully assess the extent of the damage caused by the quake.
Preliminary investigations indicate that tremors were felt near the epicentre in the county, and that power supply, communications and water services in the affected area remain normal.
According to multiple residents in this county, the quake was strongly felt, prompting people to rush to the open public spaces in seeking safety.
No significant structural damage to buildings has been observed.
After the quake, a total of 20 vehicles and 120 personnel from the Gannan fire and rescue detachment were mobilised.
In addition, a heavy-duty team from the Lanzhou fire and rescue detachment - comprising 24 vehicles, 120 personnel and three search dogs - has been assembled, along with another team from the neighbouring Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture fire department with 10 vehicles, 60 personnel and two search dogs.
Lanzhou is the capital city of Gansu.
The epicentre was monitored at a latitude of 34.06 degrees north and a longitude of 103.25 degrees east.
The quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometres, a report issued by the CENC revealed. -- Xinhua
