At least eight dead as earthquake destroys buildings in China – 800 people effected
AN EARTHQUAKE in northwest China has killed at least eight people as buildings collapsed from the force of tremor – with the death toll expected to rise.
Local media claimed buildings were cracked and collapsed under the force of the tremors
At least 180 houses have collapsed from the force of the destructive tremors, affecting 789 people in the province.
The catastrophic earthquake struck just 124 miles (200km) from Kashgar, a city with a population of half a million people, at 9:58 BST (5:58 local time).
Emergency services are still sifting through the rubble, looking for survivors trapped in debris.
The state controlled Xinhua news agency confirmed the 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck in China's northwest Xinjiang region on Thursday, with photographs online showing the devastation caused.
The catastrophic earthquake struck just 124 miles (200km) from Kashgar
Local environmental disaster officials said the quake occurred in the remote Taxkorgan County area of Kashgar Prefecture at a depth of 5 miles (8km).
Eleven people are also believed to have been injured, with more casualties expected to be confirmed as the damage is assessed by emergency services.
The 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck in China's northwest Xinjiang region
Walls crumbled under the force of the tremors
Xinjiang is frequently jolted by earthquakes, most of which cause little damage, but local media claimed buildings were cracked and collapsed under the force of the tremors.