5.1-magnitude quake jolts NW China province

BEIJING - A 5.1-magnitude earthquake hit Zadoi County, Yushu Tibetan autonomous prefecture in northwest China's Qinghai Province late on Wednesday afternoon, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

The epicenter of the quake, which struck at 5:27 p.m. (Beijing time), was monitored at 32.9 degrees north latitude and 94.7 degrees east longitude with a depth of 20 km.

It was followed by two weak shocks of 3.4 magnitude at 5:32 p.m. and 3.2 magnitude at 7:12 p.m., the center said.

It added that the epicenter was in Ador Village, about 80 km from county seat of Zadoi. People living in the county said the quakes were very noticeable.

At present, no reports of casualties and property losses have been received, said Casum Nyima, deputy head of the public security bureau of the county.

According to the bureau, the county has dispatched officials and experts to the epicenter to gather more information.