A 6.1-magnitude earthquake rocked the south-west Siberian republic of Khakassia on Thursday morning, the regional department of the Russian emergencies ministry said.

The epicenter of the quake, registered at 8:35 a.m. Moscow time (05:35 a.m. GMT), was 170 kilometers (105.6 miles) to the south of the city of Abakan.

"We are currently assessing the damage caused to buildings...we have not received any reports of damage or had any complaints from local residents."

The ministry said the earthquake was felt in six Siberian regions.

A spokesman for Rushydro said the earthquake had not affected the running of the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station, located in the republic.

This is the first major earthquake in the region since October 2000.
sections: Accidents