Strong earthquake jolts Tibet

Beijing, Oct 6 (Xinhua) A powerful earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale struck Tibetan capital Lhasa Monday afternoon, but there were no immediate reports of casualties, officials said.

The epicentre of the quake that hit at around 4:30 p.m. was located some 80 kilometres west of Lhasa, at a depth of about 8 kilometres, the State Seismological Bureau reported.

Several strong tremors have also been felt in Lhasa following the quake, according to local sources.

The Tibet seismological department has sent a team to the quake-hit area and until now there was no immediate report of casualties.

A press conference was to be held later to inform about the situation.