Death toll rises as Earthquake hits China

 

Reports have shown that atleast 4 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 houses in the mainly ethnic Uighur region collapsed when the shallow quake struck about 160 km (100 miles) northwest of the southern city of Hotan in the early morning, according to Chinese emergency officials.

“Currently, the earthquake has resulted in four 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.