Powerful earthquake has struck Sichuan region in western China.

This earthquake can have a medium humanitarian impact based on the Magnitude and the affected population and their vulnerability.

The Earthquake magnitude 6.6M and depth 12.3km
on 20/04/2013 00:02 UTC
6990000 people within 100km
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake, which had a 6.6 magnitude, was centred 80km (50 miles) west of the town of Linqiong.

It said the tremor occurred at a depth of 12.3km (7.6 miles). It is not clear if there have been casualties.

The area is prone to tremors. An 8.0 magnitude earthquake in Sichuan province, in May 2008, killed nearly 90,000 people.

The latest quake – initially reported as a 7.0 magnitude, and then at 6.9 – struck at 08:02 local time (01:02 BST), the USGS said.

It was felt 115km (71 miles) away in the provincial capital, Chengdu, according to China’s state news agency Xinhua.

WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:

This earthquake can have a medium humanitarian impact based on the Magnitude and the affected population and their vulnerability.
It said the tremor occurred at a depth of 12.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake, which had a 6.