Strong quake hits Central Asia, buildings damaged

Kyrgyzstan: A powerful earthquake hit Central Asia's densely populated Ferghana valley early on Wednesday, shaking homes and sending residents of several Uzbek and Kyrgyz cities onto the streets in panic, residents said.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the 6.1 magnitude earthquake occurred 17.8 km (11.1 miles) underground, about 42 km (26miles) southwest of Ferghana, a city in the east of Uzbekistan in an area close to the border with Kyrgyzstan.

There were no immediate reports of casualties. Local residents on either side of the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border, reached by Reuters by telephone, reported prolonged, violent shaking that cracked the walls of their houses.