A 5.5-magnitude earthquake jolted Kuqa City in Aksu Prefecture of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region at 16:35 (Beijing Time) Saturday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).
The epicenter was monitored at 40.98 degrees north latitude and 83.93 degrees east longitude. The quake struck at a depth of 10 km, said a report issued by the CENC.
There is no immediate report on damage or casualties in Kuqa and the adjacent areas of Shayar and Luntai counties so far.
The epicenter is located in desert area of Kuqa City's Tarim Town, about 120 kilometers from downtown Kuqa, where the earthquake was slightly felt.
The tremor was also felt in neighboring areas such as Baicheng, Luntai and Korla City.
The communication network and power supply in Kuqa City and surrounding areas remain normal.
Kuqa battalion of Aksu Fire and Rescue Brigade has dispatched 20 rescuers with four vehicles to the epicenter.
5.5-magnitude quake jolts Xinjiang
The 2024 China Observance of World Cities Day opened on Saturday in Weihai City, in east China's Shandong Province, attracting over 2,000 guests from more than 30 countries and regions.
Themed 'Build People-centered Cities for Better Life,' the three-day event features parallel forums, including a mayor's forum on high-quality urban development in the new era, the Exquisite City Forum, 12 different activities and themed exhibitions, as well as a release ceremony for innovative research.
The event is co-organized by China's Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, UN-HABITAT, and the People's Government of Shandong Province.
World Cities Day is an annual UN observance held on October 31. It provides an opportunity to promote the international community’s interest in global urbanization, advance cooperation among countries to address urbanization challenges, and contribute to sustainable urban development worldwide.
China observance of World Cities Day opens in Weihai City
