BEIJING, Jan. 21 -- The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) has sent rescue teams and relief materials to the quake-affected area in northwest China's Qinghai Province.

On early Thursday morning, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake hit Menyuan County of Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai.

The first batch of eight rescue workers arrived in the morning to help with search and rescue efforts. Two more teams based in Qinghai have been dispatched.

The relief materials sent by the Red Cross Society of Qinghai, including dozens of tents and folding beds as well as hundreds of cotton quilts, coats and blankets, are on the way to Menyuan County, according to the RCSC.

Local authorities said the earthquake has damaged 54 houses, including 20 with cracks in the walls, but caused no casualties.