M 7.1 Earthquake Shakes Uighur Xinjiang, Train Service Temporarily Stopped

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JAKARTA - Several people were injured by the rubble of a house caused by an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 that hit the Uighur Xinjiang Autonomous Region in northwest China on Tuesday, January 23 morning. The epicenter was located at a depth of 22 kilometers in the mountainous border area of the Wushi Region. Shocks were felt throughout the region and neighboring countries, such as Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Xinhua News, reported via Anadolu, reported that several shelters and livestock cages collapsed in areas near the epicenter and several herders suffered minor injuries. The region has so far recorded 14 aftershocks with a magnitude of 3 or lower. Still according to Xinhua, the strongest shock was recorded at a magnitude of 5.3. Authority also temporarily suspended train services to check for damage along lanes in affected areas. Meanwhile, electricity supply was temporarily disrupted in some areas, and has been gradually repaired. Earthquakes were felt along Xinjiang, including Urumqi, Hotan, and Kashgar.

Authorities have deployed rescue teams to the Wushi area. So far there have been no reports of casualties from the affected areas, according to reports. Last month, strong earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.3 also hit the provinces of Gansu and Qinghhai in China, with the center in Cishan Ba'oan Dongxiang and the Salar Autonomy Region, killing 149 people and destroying 14 thousand houses.