Moderate earthquake strikes eastern Tibet, casualties unknown

Moderate earthquake strikes eastern Tibet, casualties unknown

2010-11-30 16:28:21 GMT+7 (ICT)

LHASA, TIBET (BNO NEWS) -- A moderate earthquake struck eastern Tibet on late Tuesday afternoon, seismologists said, but it was not immediately clear if it caused any damage or casualties.

The 5.2-magnitude earthquake at 4.39 p.m. local time (0839 GMT) was centered in Damxung County, about 81 kilometers (50 miles) west of the Tibetan capital of Lhasa. It struck about 9 kilometers (5.5 miles) deep, making it a shallow earthquake, according to the China Earthquake Network Center (CENC).

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimated the strength of the earthquake at 5.5 on the Richter scale, slightly higher than China's estimate. The USGS said around 800 people may have perceived 'very strong' shaking, which could result in moderate to heavy damage.

There was no immediate information about whether the earthquake caused damage or casualties in the area.

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