6.6 magnitude earthquake hits China

Beijing: A powerful quake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale hit southwest China Tuesday night. No casualty was reported immediately, according to Xinhua.

The temblor, with a focal depth of just five km, was felt strongly in Jinggu Dai and Yi autonomous county of Yunnan province, having a population of 290,000, a county official said.

The quake shook buildings for several seconds and residents were evacuated to open areas, the official added.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the epicentre was monitored at 23.4 degrees north latitude and 100.5 degrees east longitude, about 67 km away from Lincang city and 85 km from Pu'er city. Strong tremor was also felt in the provincial capital Kunming.