6.1-magnitude quake hits Tibet: CENC

LHASA -- A 6.1-magnitude earthquake jolted Nagchu city, Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region, at 2:11 pm Friday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The epicenter was monitored at 31.94 degrees north latitude and 92.74 degrees east longitude, with a depth of 10 km, the center said.

Benpa Tsering, county chief of Biru, Nagchu, told Xinhua over the phone that the earthquake was strongly felt in the county seat. The epicenter of the earthquake was located in Xagqu Town, where the local authority is still investigating casualties and damage to houses.

"Communication channels are currently operating as normal, while an emergency response has been launched. A team of rescuers from the local fire and public security department are on their way to the epicenter," Benpa Tsering said.

The county located in the east of Nagchu has an average altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level and a population of more than 80,000.

Residents in the regional capital of Lhasa also felt the quake, with hanging lamps noticeably swinging to and fro.