ISTANBUL 

Kazakhstan on Monday was shaken by a magnitude 6.1 earthquake near Almaty, the largest city in the Central Asian country.

In a statement, the Kazakh Emergency Situations Ministry said that the epicenter of the earthquake was recorded 31 kilometers (19.2 miles) south of Almaty and at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).

It further said that Almaty’s emergency department immediately sounded sirens and intercepted television and radio channels following the quake that took place at 11:22 a.m. local time (0622GMT).

Indicating that emergency lines are operating in the city, as well as the Almaty and Zhetysu regions, the Emergency Situations Ministry urged local residents to not panic and be prepared for aftershocks.

“Stay calm and trust only official sources of information,” it also said, adding in a later statement that a second quake was recorded in China at 11:45 a.m. located 263 kilometers (163.4 miles) south of Almaty.

The Kyrgyz Emergency Situations Ministry also reported on the quake near Almaty, saying that it was felt in the country's capital Bishkek at a magnitude of 3.5.

“Earthquake casualties and damage are being ascertained. Additional information will be provided,” it added.