Northwest China hit by big quake but escapes major damage

BEIJING (AFP) Sep 02, 2003
An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale jolted northwest China's Xinjiang region Tuesday but officials arriving at the scene said there was no immediate evidence of major damage or casualties.

"Our director has arrived in the township worst affected and according to him no buildings are damaged and there are no dead or injured yet," said an official at the Kizilsu Kirgiz autonomous prefecture seismological bureau.

"However, he has yet to travel to villages in other areas of the township."

The tremor occurred at 7.16 am (2316 GMT Monday) in Akto County, some 25 kilometres (15 miles) from China's border with Tajikistan and 130 kilometres (80 miles) from the historic oasis city of Kashgar.

A county government official said the area around the worst hit Bulungkol township was mountainous and mainly home to herdsmen.

"Initial reports show no major damage or casualties but because it is mountainous we still need to carry out a more complete report," said county government official Jiang Xinling.

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.

TERRA.WIRE