China launches emergency response after quake

Beijing, Feb 3 (IANS) Authorities in China's Sichuan province on Monday launched a third-level emergency response after a 5.1-magnitude earthquake jolted Qingbaijiang district on Monday.According to the China Earthquake Networks Centre (CENC), the quake occurred at 12.05 a.m. and the epicentre was monitored at 30.74 degrees north latitude and 104.46 degrees east longitude, with a depth of 21 km, reports Xinhua news agency.Local residents received a quake alert eight seconds in advance.As of Monday afternoon, no casualties were reported.The quake cut off power supply to 5,000 households and damaged rural roads. The epicenter was 14 km from Jintang county in Chengdu, with strong tremors felt in the provincial capital.Many people stayed outside after the quake, wearing protective masks. Some took their quilts to spend the night in their cars.
--IANS ksk/