Moderate 4.4 Earthquake Jolts East China

Source: Xinhua

Graphics shows a quake jolting southeast China's Fujian Province on July 5, 2008, according to the China National Seismological Network. [Xinhua]

BEIJING -- An earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale jolted east China's Fujian Province at 9:36 a.m. on Saturday, and moderate aftershocks are expected, China's seismological authorities said.

The epicenter was located along the boundary of Xiamen and Longhai cities at 24.53 degrees north and 117.93 degrees east, according to the China National Seismological Network.

A 10-strong team dispatched by Xiamen earthquake survey center arrived at the scene half an hour later. Two teams from the provincial earthquake administration were also sent to the epicenter and regions nearby.

Some Xiamen residents fled from their homes to open areas during the tremor, but calm prevailed, local authorities said.

No casualties or damages to buildings had been found in the epicenter, they said.

Experts believe that chances of a stronger earthquake are slim, but they would not rule out the possibility after aftershocks measuring about four on the Richter scale in the short term.

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Editor: Ronald Li