5.5 quake jolts Tibet

Lhasa, May 11: An earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale hit Tibet on Wednesday.

Local authorities said casualties were likely, Xinhua news agency reported.

The China Earthquake Networks Centre monitored the epicentre at 31.99 degrees north latitude and 94.94 degrees east longitude, with a depth of seven kilometres.

Soren, director of the Regional Seismological Bureau, said the epicentre is located in Kata Town, the site of two major Buddhist temples.

Roads leading to the village have caved in.

Township authorities have sent machinery for emergency repairs and to assist quake relief.

IANS