An earthquake measuring 5,9 on the Richter scale struck northwest China’s Xinjiang region on Tuesday, local officials and state press reported.
The tremor occurred at 7.16am (11.16pm GMT on Monday) in Akto County, 25km from China’s border with Tajikistan and 130km from the historic oasis city of Kashgar.
”Initial reports show an earthquake happened measuring 5,9 on the Richter scale. We haven’t received any casualty reports as yet,” said Xu Giyiang, an official at the Kashgar seismological bureau.
An official at the Kezhou seismological bureau, in the prefecture that controls Akto county, said the township hardest hit has a population of between 20 000 and 30 000.
”Transportation and communication to the township hit worst is not good and it is difficult to find out exactly what is going on,” said the official, named Ailie.
In February an earthquake measuring 6,8 on the Richter scale struck the same region, leaving 268 people dead and 4 000 injured.
That quake destroyed 20 000 houses, cut water and power supplies and toppled 591 schools and 384 mosques. — Sapa-AFP