6.6-magnitude quake hits NW China

A house is damaged in quake-affected Lixian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, July 22, 2013. A 6.6-magnitude earthquake jolted a juncture region of Minxian County and Zhangxian County in Dingxi City of the province Monday morning. Lixian County is about 180 kilometers away from Minxian County. (Xinhua/Li Yaoqin)

(Updated)

A 6.6-magnitude earthquake jolted a juncture region of two counties in northwest China's Gansu Province Monday morning.

The earthquake occurred at 7:45 a.m. at the junction of the Minxian County and Zhangxian County, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

The local people in the Minxian County said strong tremor was felt and they saw noticeable shake of trees and homes, adding that the quake lasted for about one minute.

Meanwhile, the earthquake was also felt in neighboring cities of Dingxi, Longnan, Tianshui, as well as the provincial capital city of Lanzhou.

Xi'an City, capital of the neighboring Shaanxi Province was also reported to have felt the quake.

Causalities are still unknown. Xinhua reporters are rushing to the quake-stricken area.

The epicenter, with a depth of 20 km, was monitored at 34.5 degrees north latitude and 104.2 degrees east longitude, said the center.

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China starts emergency-response to Gansu quake

The China Earthquake Administration has initiated an emergency-response plan against the quake which hit a juncture region of two counties in northwest China's Gansu province Monday morning.

The emergency plan includes close monitoring of the quake and sending disaster-relief teams to affected areas, the administration said. Full story