Earthquake Rocks Areas in Siberia

An earthquake has damaged dozens of buildings in a city in southwestern Siberia, but no injuries or deaths have been reported.

The epicentre of the 6.7 magnitude quake was about  60 miles east of Kyzyl, capital of the Russian republic of Tuva, which borders Mongolia.

The municipal services in Kyzyl said today that 31 multi-story apartment buildings, a school and a plant that provides hot water and heat suffered cracks and other damage. The plant was still operating.

The Emergencies Ministry said 3,500 people were provided temporary shelter.

After the quake struck yesterday evening, mines in the coal-mining region of Kemerovo were evacuated as a precaution, but work resumed Wednesday afternoon.