A strong earthquake hit Tibet (also known as the Xizang Autonomous Region or Xizang) in southern China early today morning. According to an assessment of the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC), the earthquake's intensity was measured at magnitude 6.9.

However, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a lower intensity of magnitude 6.4.

The epicentre of the quake, which struck minutes after 4 am (IST), was located close to the India-China border and was more than 150 kilometers away from the nearest Indian city.

The earthquake struck at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers and there was no immediate information available on any loss of lives. According to a Reuters report, the earthquake hit a region in China that is sparsely populated, with the closet major cities located in India.

There were some reports of damage, with IANS, citing the Xinhua news agency, reporting that the quake caused power failure and building damages in a number of villages in the epicentre in Nyingchi City.

The earthquake was followed by a smaller magnitude-5 earthquake at 8:31 am (Beijing time) around the same place at a depth of about 6 km, a PTI report, which cited Xinhua, said.

(An approximate location of the epicentre of the earthquake, based on coordinates provided by the USGS)

According to the USGS, the epicentre of the earthquake was located 185 kms away from Along, 200 kms away from Pasighat, 244 kms away from Tezu and 330 kms away from Itanagar, all cities in Arunachal Pradesh.