An earthquake occurred in China, which was felt in Almaty and other populated areas of Kazakhstan. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) warned of possible aftershocks in the coming hours or days.
As reported by the press service of the Department of Emergency Situations (DES) of Almaty, the earthquake occurred at 12:45 local time. “Preliminarily – 2-3 points,” the department reported.
According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, there was no information on casualties or damage.
As Kazakh media reported, an earthquake of magnitude 6.7 with an epicenter in China was recorded 277 km southeast of Almaty. According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, tremors were felt in almost 40 settlements of Kazakhstan.
It is reported that security protocols were triggered in offices and business centers in Almaty – employees left the premises and went outside. On social networks, residents of the region massively reported noticeable vibrations that lasted 10-15 seconds.
After the earthquake in Almaty, Emergencies Ministry specialists inspected river beds, hydraulic structures and potentially dangerous areas.
The Almaty Emergency Situations Department noted that the commission of the scientific seismological center is preparing a conclusion on the likelihood of aftershocks.
Meanwhile, the news agency Xinhua reported, citing the China Center for Seismological Networks, that an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 occurred at 15:44 Beijing time in Akchi County, Kyzylsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwestern China.
It is noted that the epicenter of the tremors was located at a point with coordinates of 41.13 degrees north latitude and 78.40 degrees east longitude. The source of the earthquake lay at a depth of 10 km.