LHASA, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Casualties have been reported after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Baqen County of Nagqu City in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, at 10:33 p.m. Thursday (Beijing Time), said local authorities.
The epicenter was monitored at 32.40 degrees north latitude and 93.79 degrees east longitude, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). The quake struck at a depth of 10 km.
Xizang has activated a Level-II earthquake disaster emergency response, according to the regional emergency command center.
Maru Township, the epicenter of the earthquake, is about 70 km from the county seat. Lhawang Dagpo, deputy head of the township, said checks are underway in villages across the township.
He added that the tremor was clearly felt at the township government office. The walls of the office building sustained cracks. There were reports of collapsed houses.
Strong shaking was reported in the county seat of Baqen, where power was cut off and telecommunications services were disrupted.
Tremors were also felt in other parts of Xizang, including Qamdo and Nyingchi.
The office of the State Council earthquake relief headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management activated a Level-IV emergency response after the earthquake.
A work team has been sent to the affected areas to guide emergency response and disaster relief work, according to the ministry.
A 4.3-magnitude earthquake struck Zadoi County in northwest China's Qinghai Province at 11:12 p.m. Thursday, according to CENC. The county borders Baqen.
Strong tremors were felt in townships along the border between the two counties, with cracks appearing in some houses. No building collapses or casualties have been reported. ■
