Quake rocks China's northwest; no casualties

By Mahmut Atanur

BEIJING (AA) – A 6.2-magnitude earthquake has shaken China's northwestern province of Qinghai, but no casualties have been reported.

State news agency Xinhua reported Monday that some home owners in the area reported structural cracks and broken window panes after the quake struck at 3.14 p.m. (0813GMT), but power, water and telecommunications were all unaffected.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the tremor's epicenter was in a sparsely populated area at an altitude of 4,700 meters (15420 feet) in Zadoi County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

Local authorities are investigating the extent of the damage.