5.4-magnitude quake hits China's Xinjiang

URUMQI -- A 5.4-magnitude earthquake jolted Baicheng county in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, at 5:14 am Wednesday Beijing Time, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The epicenter was monitored at 41.70 degrees north latitude and 81.11 degrees east longitude, with a depth of 10 km, the CENC said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. The fire department in Aksu prefecture, Xinjiang, has sent three fire engines and 12 rescuers to the epicenter of the earthquake in Baicheng to further investigate the disaster situation. The power grid in the area is operating normally.

The Xinjiang regional railway authority launched an emergency response to the earthquake, ordering all passenger trains running in the earthquake-sensitive area to immediately cease operation, while maintenance staff were sent to check telecommunications signals and the power supply, and inspect rail lines, bridges, tunnels and facilities.

Affected by the earthquake, passenger train services between the regional capital of Urumqi and several destinations including Hotan and Aksu were delayed.