Strong earthquake shakes northwestern China

The 6.3-magnitude quake hit Haixi prefecture in Qinghai province at 5.06 pm local time (0906 GMT), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center, as cited by Xinhua News Agency.

The US Geological Survey said the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) and was located near Dunhuang in neighboring Gansu province, which borders Qinghai.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties at time of publication.