Magnitude 5 quake hits Xinjiang, no casualties yet

An earthquake measuring 5 on the Richter scale hit Shawan County, in Tacheng Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, at 2:42 p.m.on Sunday, the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) reported.

The epicenter was monitored at 44.1 degrees north latitude and 85.7 degrees east longitude at a depth of 4 km, according to the CENC.

There are no reports of casualties or property damage, according to the county government.

The quake was felt in Shawan County. According to resident Wang Jianan, who said the lamp in her second floor room swung for about 20 seconds. All those in the building rushed outside.

Residents in Urumqi, 180 kilometers away from Shawan, and Korla City, which is more than 300 kilometers away, also felt the earthquake.

A resident of Korla City, Zhao Min, said her kitchen table shook when the quake happened.

According to the regional seismological bureau, two townships, Xigebi and Dongwan, are near the epicenter.

Three rescue vehicles have been despatched to the epicenter and the authorities will follow up on the impact of the quake.