The epicenter of the earthquake was the Madoi district at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), according to the US Geological Survey.

Topics: China

The U.S. Geological Survey measured it as a 7.3-magnitude earthquake (revised from an initial 7.4 assessment), striking at a depth of 10 kilometres (six miles).

So far, no fatalities have been reported, while the local government announced that some buildings were destroyed.

Earlier, two persons died and six others were injured in another magnitude 6.1 earthquake that occurred in the northwest of China.

One person was killed by falling rocks, said Zhang Shiwei, Party chief of Yangbi.

Three people were injured by falling tiles, and four were buried in a road collapse, among whom three have been rescued, Xinhua reported.

Four earthquakes over 5.0-magnitude hit Yangbi from 9 pm to 11 pm (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

Rescue forces have been dispatched to the quake zone, and rescue operations are underway. ■