5.3-magnitude quake hits NE China: CENC

BEIJING - A 5.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the juncture of Tongliao city, in Inner Mongolia autonomous region, and Fuxin city, in Liaoning province, in Northeast China on Monday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

The quake happened at 5:11 pm Beijing time.

The epicenter, with a depth of 6 kilometers, was monitored at 42.9 degrees north latitude and 122.4 degrees east longitude, the center said.

No casualties have been reported so far in the Horqin Left Back Banner, the epicenter, according to local publicity and emergency response offices.

Residents that have been interviewed said they did not see any injuries or buildings topple.

"People rushed to the street when the earthquake struck. But everyone went home soon after," said a female resident surnamed Han.

The fire brigade in the banner received two emergency calls but there was no serious damage, said Liu Zhidan, head of the brigade.

Liu added that some buildings had sustained cracks.

The epicenter, with a depth of 6 kilometers, was monitored at 42.9 degrees north latitude and 122.4 degrees east longitude, the center said.