There are no reports of casualties so far.
The earthquake, measuring 6-7 on the Richter scale, occurred at10:35a.m. local time (0135 GMT) in Irkutsk, according to the Irkutsk seismic station.
Immediately after the tremors, electricity, mobile connections and the Internet were cut off, and the administrative services, restaurants, and stores were paralyzed for about an hour, said a spokesman for the regional department of the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations.
Rescue services have been put on alert and a crisis center has been set up, he said.
There was no threat of tsunami due to the topography of Lake Baikal's floor, the official said.
