Image Credit: CGTN
A 4.6-magnitude earthquake shook the Dabancheng District of Urumqi, the capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Tuesday afternoon, according to local firefighting authorities. The tremor, which struck at 4:33 p.m. Beijing time, caused strong shaking in the region, but no casualties have been reported.
The China Earthquake Networks Centre revealed that the quake’s epicentre was located 51 km from Urumqi’s urban area, at a depth of 32 km. It was pinpointed at 43.72 degrees north latitude and 88.26 degrees east longitude.
Residents in Urumqi reported experiencing strong tremors, with one local individual sharing with Xinhua that the earthquake was intense. Emergency response teams were dispatched promptly to assess the damage and ensure public safety.
Local authorities confirmed that no reports of fatalities or collapsed structures had been received by 5:20 p.m. on Tuesday. While rescue workers continued their assessments, the situation remained under control, with no immediate concerns about further damage.
The incident underscores the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity, though swift emergency responses appear to have mitigated the potential impact of the earthquake. Authorities are continuing to monitor the area for any aftershocks or additional developments.