Gangtok (Sikkim), Mar 21 : An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale hit Tibet on Friday, authorities said, adding that there were no reports of damages or injuries yet.
The quake struck the city of Xigaze, Tingri County, at 9.33 a.m., Xinhua news agency reported. The earthquake was at a depth of 10 km, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center. The epicentre was around 150 km from the Sikkim border and less than 100 km from the Nepal border.
As per the National Centre for Seismology in India, the magnitude of the quake was 5.6 on the Richter scale, while the US Geological Survey reported 5.7. As per the reports from Nepal, a magnitude of up to 6.2 was recorded at a few seismological centres.
Just five days ago, Pokhara in Nepal witnessed an earthquake of magnitude 5.
The Tingri county borders Nepal to the south. Most areas of the province belong to the Mount Everest National Nature Reserve. Tremors were reportedly felt in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu. Parts of Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Bhutan, and China have reportedly felt tremors.
Nine firefighters and three fire trucks were dispatched to the epicentre. More than 100 firefighters and dozens of vehicles were on standby.
(With Agency inputs )
