Share

First casualties after 6.4 earthquake hits China

Beijing - At least three people were killed and more than 20 injured when a strong 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit a rural part of China's far western Xinjiang region on Friday, Chinese officials said.

Many traditional houses in the mainly ethnic Uighur region collapsed when the shallow quake struck about 160km northwest of the southern city of Hotan in the early morning, according to Chinese emergency officials.

"Currently, the earthquake has resulted in three deaths, including a father and son, and more than 20 injuries," China National Emergency Broadcasting (CNEB) said on it's website.

The quake was initially reported at various magnitudes up to 6.5. Several aftershocks were reported, the strongest measuring magnitude 4.8, according to the US Geological Survey.

Residents of the region expressed shock at the intensity of the quake on social media, although authorities said they were optimistic the death toll would not be high.

"If many people are gathered in one place during an earthquake, it can lead to a serious disaster, but in this case, there were relatively few people so it isn't so serious," China Earthquake Networks Centre researcher Sun Shihong told state broadcaster China Central Television.

Pictures on social media and state television showed cracks on the walls of buildings and other minor damage.

Earthquakes frequently strike China. A quake in the southwestern province of Sichuan in 2008 killed almost 70 000 people.

Xinjiang, strategically located on the borders of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia, is one of China's most politically sensitive regions following years of violence, blamed by the government on Islamist militants.

Exiled Uighur groups and human rights activists say the government's own repressive policies and religious and cultural restrictions have provoked unrest, an accusation the government denies.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 557 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 801 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.87
+0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.85
+0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.38
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.31
+0.2%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE