China has reopened roads leading to the epicentre of Monday's 6.8 magnitude earthquake in the southwestern province of Sichuan and traffic has resumed, state media reported on Wednesday, while the death toll has risen to 74.

In addition, a total of 259 people were injured in the disaster and 26 remained missing as of Tuesday night, the People's Daily reported.

The strongest earthquake to hit the province since 2017 destroyed numerous buildings and caused severe damage to power and water infrastructure as well as telecommunications.

Rescuers had rushed to reach stranded people, restore utilities and send emergency relief, while 11,000 people were evacuated on Tuesday from Luding county, where the quake was centred.

Early on Wednesday, China Earthquake Networks Centre recorded a magnitude 3 aftershock at the epicentre, at a depth of 12 km (7.5 miles).

Weather forecasters have also warned of the prospect of heavy rains in the region until Friday.

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China has reopened roads leading to the epicentre of Monday's 6.8 magnitude earthquake in the southwestern province of Sichuan and traffic has resumed, state media reported on Wednesday, while the death toll has risen to 74.

China has reopened roads leading to the epicentre of Monday's 6.8 magnitude earthquake in the southwestern province of Sichuan and traffic has resumed, state media reported on Wednesday, while the death toll has risen to 74. In addition, a total of 259 people were injured in the disaster and 26 remained missing as of Tuesday night, the People's Daily reported. The strongest earthquake to hit the province since 2017 destroyed numerous buildings and caused severe damage to power and water infrastructure as well as telecommunications. Rescuers had rushed to reach stranded people, restore utilities and send emergency relief, while 11,000 people were evacuated on Tuesday from Luding county, where the quake was centred. Early on Wednesday, China Earthquake Networks Centre recorded a magnitude 3 aftershock at the epicentre, at a depth of 12 km (7.5 miles). Weather forecasters have also warned of the prospect of heavy rains in the region until Friday.

China clears roads to earthquake epicentre, death toll rises to 74

At least 65 people died after a powerful earthquake hit China's southwestern Sichuan province on Monday. A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck around 43 kilometres southeast of the city of Kangding in Sichuan province at a depth of 10 kilometres.&nbsp;

The strong earthquake was felt as far away as the provinces of Shaanxi and Guizhou, hundreds of kilometres away.&nbsp;

According to Chinese state media, close to 250 people were being treated for injuries from the disaster, and dozens have been critically wounded.&nbsp;

The state media reported that the search and rescue operations are underway with experts working on retrieving over 200 people stranded in the quake zone.&nbsp;

Authorities are also trying to restore telecommunications services and power and water utilities, as well as delivering food supply to residents affected by the magnitude-6.8 temblor, state media reported.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Chinese officials are collecting DNA samples of Tibetans&nbsp;

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In the aftermath, the China&nbsp;Meteorological Administration issued a warning that those quake-stricken areas&nbsp;will experience "significant rainfall" until Thursday. The department also said that&nbsp;the landslides could hamper rescue work.&nbsp;

At least one town suffered "severe damage" from landslides triggered by the quake, CCTV reported.&nbsp;

"Before 5 o'clock, I heard a rumbling sound. The house shook so badly that I woke up immediately," one woman surnamed Zheng from Sichuan's Lu county told Beijing News.&nbsp;

"My brother's house collapsed. His house is an old one built more than 10 years ago. My house is newly built, so the situation is better."&nbsp;

Taiwan offers to help&nbsp;

Taiwan's government has offered help and stated that it is ready to send rescuers. Despite weeks of tensions after the Chinese military's aggression and drills, Taiwan expressed its condolences to China.&nbsp;

Taiwan's presidential office said President Tsai Ing-wen had offered her "sympathy and concern" after Monday's quake in southwestern China which killed at least 46 people.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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At least 65 people died after a powerful earthquake hit China's southwestern Sichuan province on Monday. A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck around 43 kilometres southeast of the city of Kangding in Sichuan province at a depth of 10 kilometres.

At least 65 people died after a powerful earthquake hit China's southwestern Sichuan province on Monday. A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck around 43 kilometres southeast of the city of Kangding in Sichuan province at a depth of 10 kilometres. The strong earthquake was felt as far away as the provinces of Shaanxi and Guizhou, hundreds of kilometres away. According to Chinese state media, close to 250 people were being treated for injuries from the disaster, and dozens have been critically wounded. The state media reported that the search and rescue operations are underway with experts working on retrieving over 200 people stranded in the quake zone. Authorities are also trying to restore telecommunications services and power and water utilities, as well as delivering food supply to residents affected by the magnitude-6.8 temblor, state media reported. WATCH | Gravitas: Chinese officials are collecting DNA samples of Tibetans × In the aftermath, the China Meteorological Administration issued a warning that those quake-stricken areas will experience "significant rainfall" until Thursday. The department also said that the landslides could hamper rescue work. At least one town suffered "severe damage" from landslides triggered by the quake, CCTV reported. "Before 5 o'clock, I heard a rumbling sound. The house shook so badly that I woke up immediately," one woman surnamed Zheng from Sichuan's Lu county told Beijing News. "My brother's house collapsed. His house is an old one built more than 10 years ago. My house is newly built, so the situation is better." Taiwan offers to help Taiwan's government has offered help and stated that it is ready to send rescuers. Despite weeks of tensions after the Chinese military's aggression and drills, Taiwan expressed its condolences to China. Taiwan's presidential office said President Tsai Ing-wen had offered her "sympathy and concern" after Monday's quake in southwestern China which killed at least 46 people. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China earthquake death toll rises to 65, search and rescue efforts underway

A 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck the northern Chinese city of Tangshan on Sunday, according to the Global Times, reviving memories of a devastating 1976 quake there that was the deadliest in modern times.

Sunday's tremor occurred at 6:38 am (2238 GMT), the USGS said, with the epicentre in a suburban residential district just outside downtown Tangshan, about 200 kilometres east of Beijing.

China's seismological authority put the magnitude at 5.1 and said it struck at a depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles).

There were no immediate reports of damage from Sunday's tremor, which also caused slight shaking in Beijing.

State-run Xinhua news agency said passenger trains through the quake area were suspended pending an inspection of rail infrastructure for any damage.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a> A magnitude 5.1 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/earthquake?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#earthquake</a> struck <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tangshan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tangshan</a>, Hebei, with a focal depth of 10 kilometers. The quake was felt in Beijing and Tianjin <a href="https://t.co/zRqR9Tu5A1">pic.twitter.com/zRqR9Tu5A1</a>
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Video posted on Twitter by Chinese state media showed items toppling off store shelves in Tangshan.

On July 28, 1976, Tangshan, then a coal mining city of about one million people, was obliterated by a 7.8-magnitude quake and subsequent 7.1 aftershock about 15 hours later. China says about 2,40,000 people were killed. 
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A 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck the northern Chinese city of Tangshan on Sunday, according to the Global Times, reviving memories of a devastating 1976 quake there that was the deadliest in modern times.

A 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck the northern Chinese city of Tangshan on Sunday, according to the Global Times, reviving memories of a devastating 1976 quake there that was the deadliest in modern times. Sunday's tremor occurred at 6:38 am (2238 GMT), the USGS said, with the epicentre in a suburban residential district just outside downtown Tangshan, about 200 kilometres east of Beijing. China's seismological authority put the magnitude at 5.1 and said it struck at a depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles). There were no immediate reports of damage from Sunday's tremor, which also caused slight shaking in Beijing. State-run Xinhua news agency said passenger trains through the quake area were suspended pending an inspection of rail infrastructure for any damage. #BREAKING A magnitude 5.1 #earthquake struck #Tangshan, Hebei, with a focal depth of 10 kilometers. The quake was felt in Beijing and Tianjin pic.twitter.com/zRqR9Tu5A1 — Global Times (@globaltimesnews) July 11, 2020 × Video posted on Twitter by Chinese state media showed items toppling off store shelves in Tangshan. On July 28, 1976, Tangshan, then a coal mining city of about one million people, was obliterated by a 7.8-magnitude quake and subsequent 7.1 aftershock about 15 hours later. China says about 2,40,000 people were killed.

5.1-magnitude earthquake strikes Chinese city of Tangshan

Two Powerful Earthquakes Rock China's Southwestern Sichuan Province Social line: China's Sichuan province has been rocked by two powerful earthquakes. 12 people have been reported dead & hundreds injured. Over ten thousand buildings have been affected, roads have been closed. Here's a detailed report on the earthquakes in China.

Gravitas: Two quakes hit China in 30 minutes

Twelve people died and another 134&nbsp;were injured in two strong earthquakes in China, China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

According to local authorities, a 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit Changning County of Yibin in southwest China.

Eight died in Changning County and three others in Qixian County, the Yibin city government said in its Twitter-like Weibo account. Rescuers pulled six bodies and seven survivors from buildings, it added.

The area was hit by a series of at least four aftershocks, the largest of which had a magnitude of 5.1.

More than 300 firefighters have been dispatched to the scene. Rescue personnel were also sent with 5,000 tents, 10,000 folding cots and other emergency supplies, Xinhua reported.

The US Geological Survey put the magnitude of the main quake at 5.8, adding that "extensive damage is probable and the disaster is likely widespread".

Earthquakes regularly strike Sichuan, where a powerful 7.9-magnitude quake left 87,000 people dead or missing in 2008.

(With inputs from AFP)

Twelve people died and another 134 were injured in two strong earthquakes in China, China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) said on Tuesday. According to local authorities, a 6.

Twelve people died and another 134 were injured in two strong earthquakes in China, China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) said on Tuesday. According to local authorities, a 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit Changning County of Yibin in southwest China. Eight died in Changning County and three others in Qixian County, the Yibin city government said in its Twitter-like Weibo account. Rescuers pulled six bodies and seven survivors from buildings, it added. The area was hit by a series of at least four aftershocks, the largest of which had a magnitude of 5.1. More than 300 firefighters have been dispatched to the scene. Rescue personnel were also sent with 5,000 tents, 10,000 folding cots and other emergency supplies, Xinhua reported. The US Geological Survey put the magnitude of the main quake at 5.8, adding that "extensive damage is probable and the disaster is likely widespread". Earthquakes regularly strike Sichuan, where a powerful 7.9-magnitude quake left 87,000 people dead or missing in 2008. (With inputs from AFP)

Twelve killed, over 100 injured in China earthquake 

Local government workers have been carrying out relief work to assess damage and relocate residents in northeast China's Jilin Province after a 5.7-magnitude earthquake hit Songyuan City early on Monday morning.

No casualties have been reported after the quake struck the city's Ningjiang District at 01:50, local authorities said at a press briefing held on Monday evening.

So far, more than 10,000 houses in Ningjiang have reported damage, according to the local government.

Government workers are checking for any potential safety hazards in infrastructure facilities, such as reservoirs, dikes, and pipelines, as well as in chemical businesses. No dangers have been found during their checks so far.

All quake-affected residents have been safely evacuated, with a total of 90 tents, 200 beds, 70 quilts, 500 boxes of drinking water, and basic food supplies sent to the quake zone.

In the epicenter in Yamutu Village, local people may have to reside in temporary accommodation until new housing is constructed.

The local government has cordoned off damaged buildings to guarantee the safety of villagers in case of any aftershocks or a secondary disaster.

Over 300 houses in the nearby Qianguo County also sustained damage during the earthquake, with residents evacuated to safe regions.

The local government will speed up its assessment of damaged buildings and will aim to begin the reconstruction work as soon as possible, authorities said.

Government workers are checking for any potential safety hazards in infrastructure facilities, such as reservoirs, dikes, and pipelines, as well as in chemical businesses.

Local government workers have been carrying out relief work to assess damage and relocate residents in northeast China's Jilin Province after a 5.7-magnitude earthquake hit Songyuan City early on Monday morning. No casualties have been reported after the quake struck the city's Ningjiang District at 01:50, local authorities said at a press briefing held on Monday evening. So far, more than 10,000 houses in Ningjiang have reported damage, according to the local government. Government workers are checking for any potential safety hazards in infrastructure facilities, such as reservoirs, dikes, and pipelines, as well as in chemical businesses. No dangers have been found during their checks so far. All quake-affected residents have been safely evacuated, with a total of 90 tents, 200 beds, 70 quilts, 500 boxes of drinking water, and basic food supplies sent to the quake zone. In the epicenter in Yamutu Village, local people may have to reside in temporary accommodation until new housing is constructed. The local government has cordoned off damaged buildings to guarantee the safety of villagers in case of any aftershocks or a secondary disaster. Over 300 houses in the nearby Qianguo County also sustained damage during the earthquake, with residents evacuated to safe regions. The local government will speed up its assessment of damaged buildings and will aim to begin the reconstruction work as soon as possible, authorities said.

Relief work continues in quake-hit northeast China

No casualties have been reported so far after a 5.7-magnitude earthquake hit Ningjiang district, Songyuan City of northeast China's Jilin province at 1:50 a.m. Monday Beijing time, according to local authorities.

However, residents in Songyuan City said they felt strong tremors and many people rushed out to the streets after the earthquake happened.

An emergency response mechanism has been launched, according to the local publicity department.

Power supply remained normal while mobile communication has been affected to some extent.

The epicenter of the quake was monitored at 45.27 degrees north latitude and 124.71 degrees east longitude.

The quake struck at a depth of about 13 km, and some houses have been damaged.

Power supply remained normal while mobile communication has been affected to some extent.

No casualties have been reported so far after a 5.7-magnitude earthquake hit Ningjiang district, Songyuan City of northeast China's Jilin province at 1:50 a.m. Monday Beijing time, according to local authorities. However, residents in Songyuan City said they felt strong tremors and many people rushed out to the streets after the earthquake happened. An emergency response mechanism has been launched, according to the local publicity department. Power supply remained normal while mobile communication has been affected to some extent. The epicenter of the quake was monitored at 45.27 degrees north latitude and 124.71 degrees east longitude. The quake struck at a depth of about 13 km, and some houses have been damaged.

5.7-magnitude earthquake hits China's Ningjiang district, no casualties

China ramped up its response to an earthquake on Thursday, that killed 20 people and injured hundreds, by sending supplies and personnel into the mountainous zone as rescuers fanned out to search for more victims.

Jiuzhaigou, a popular tourist destination near the epicentre of Tuesday night&#39;s 6.5-magnitude quake, reportedly saw dozens of relief and military trucks rolling through the remote corner of Sichuan province.

Locals took refuge in blue relief tents in several makeshift camps or out on streets in towns as more than a thousand aftershocks jolted the region and landslides kept nerves on edge.

Jiuzhaigou is an area populated largely by ethnic Tibetans and Qiang people. Its scenic landscape is popular with mainly Chinese tourists who flock to its national park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.&nbsp;

Nearly 60,000 people -- around half of which were tourists -- were evacuated from quake-hit towns and villages on Wednesday.

Authorities were seeking to help more victims on Thursday, with the Sichuan provincial fire department saying 16 tourists were stranded in a picturesque spot called Panda Sea.

More than 500 medical staff have been dispatched to the disaster zone, provincial official Qumushiha said at a press conference Thursday evening.

Authorities have said thousands of response personnel were sent into the area, as rescue workers search for at least four people still missing.

Yang Yongzhi was among a search team in red jumpsuits and hardhats who were forced by landslides to turn back on Wednesday night after trying to press into cut-off valleys.

&quot;We&#39;re responsible for finding if there are still people trapped over there. We&#39;re the first to go check,&quot; Yang said as the team prepared to make another attempt at reaching the isolated area.

The tremor evoked memories of a devastating 8.0-magnitude earthquake in the region in 2008 that left 87,000 people dead or missing, but the impact of Tuesday&#39;s disaster was comparatively light.

Authorities brought the death toll up to 20 on Thursday afternoon, with 431 injured, 34 critically. A Frenchman and a Canadian woman were among those hurt.

The quake tore cracks in mountain highways and cars were reportedly smashed by giant falling boulders.

Some buildings in towns bore cracks, but few structures appeared to have sustained heavy damage.

Provincial fire authorities reported that one Jiuzhaigou hotel partially collapsed and the body of a woman was pulled out of the rubble on Thursday morning.

It was not known if others were still buried. &nbsp;&nbsp;

So far, 200 million yuan, which is about $30 million, in government relief funds has been allocated for quake relief, according to authorities.

The government of Aba prefecture, where Jiuzhaigou is located, issued an appeal for donations.

Authorities said 1,680 private homes across Jiuzhaigou&#39;s 17 townships suffered varying degrees of damage.

The local government said it had repaired 129 telecommunication towers or other installations that were damaged by the quake, restoring communications with much of the affected area.

President Xi Jinping had called earlier for &quot;all-out efforts to rapidly organise relief work and rescue the injured&quot; in the Sichuan quake.

Authorities brought the death toll up to 20 on Thursday afternoon, with 431 injured, 34 critically

China ramped up its response to an earthquake on Thursday, that killed 20 people and injured hundreds, by sending supplies and personnel into the mountainous zone as rescuers fanned out to search for more victims. Jiuzhaigou, a popular tourist destination near the epicentre of Tuesday night's 6.5-magnitude quake, reportedly saw dozens of relief and military trucks rolling through the remote corner of Sichuan province. Locals took refuge in blue relief tents in several makeshift camps or out on streets in towns as more than a thousand aftershocks jolted the region and landslides kept nerves on edge. Jiuzhaigou is an area populated largely by ethnic Tibetans and Qiang people. Its scenic landscape is popular with mainly Chinese tourists who flock to its national park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nearly 60,000 people -- around half of which were tourists -- were evacuated from quake-hit towns and villages on Wednesday. Authorities were seeking to help more victims on Thursday, with the Sichuan provincial fire department saying 16 tourists were stranded in a picturesque spot called Panda Sea. More than 500 medical staff have been dispatched to the disaster zone, provincial official Qumushiha said at a press conference Thursday evening. Authorities have said thousands of response personnel were sent into the area, as rescue workers search for at least four people still missing. Yang Yongzhi was among a search team in red jumpsuits and hardhats who were forced by landslides to turn back on Wednesday night after trying to press into cut-off valleys. "We're responsible for finding if there are still people trapped over there. We're the first to go check," Yang said as the team prepared to make another attempt at reaching the isolated area. The tremor evoked memories of a devastating 8.0-magnitude earthquake in the region in 2008 that left 87,000 people dead or missing, but the impact of Tuesday's disaster was comparatively light. Authorities brought the death toll up to 20 on Thursday afternoon, with 431 injured, 34 critically. A Frenchman and a Canadian woman were among those hurt. The quake tore cracks in mountain highways and cars were reportedly smashed by giant falling boulders. Some buildings in towns bore cracks, but few structures appeared to have sustained heavy damage. Provincial fire authorities reported that one Jiuzhaigou hotel partially collapsed and the body of a woman was pulled out of the rubble on Thursday morning. It was not known if others were still buried. So far, 200 million yuan, which is about $30 million, in government relief funds has been allocated for quake relief, according to authorities. The government of Aba prefecture, where Jiuzhaigou is located, issued an appeal for donations. Authorities said 1,680 private homes across Jiuzhaigou's 17 townships suffered varying degrees of damage. The local government said it had repaired 129 telecommunication towers or other installations that were damaged by the quake, restoring communications with much of the affected area. President Xi Jinping had called earlier for "all-out efforts to rapidly organise relief work and rescue the injured" in the Sichuan quake.

China combs through quake region for victims

China evacuated nearly 60,000 people after a 6.5 magnitude <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/up-to-100-feared-dead-thousands-injured-in-china-quake-govt-18728">earthquake struck a remote, mountainous part of China&#39;s southwestern province </a>of Sichuan killing at least 19 people on Wednesday.

A second earthquake rocked western China on Wednesday, this time registering a magnitude 6.6. in a remote area of Xinjiang, Reuters reported.

The People&#39;s Daily said 32 people had been injured in the mostly rural area. The quake&#39;s epicentre was in Jinghe, about 100 km from the border with Kazakhstan, where about 140,000 people live, according to Xinhua.

Meanwhile, the provincial government told AFP that most of the tourists including locals were evacuated even as aftershocks continued to disrupt&nbsp;Sichuan province.

Several buildings were damaged in the quake&#39;s epicentre in Aba prefecture with China&#39;s state-run news agency Xinhua adding&nbsp;more than 30,000 people were evacuated from Jiuzhaigou alone.&nbsp;

President Xi Jinping has called for &quot;all-out efforts&quot; as China pressed the Army and relief workers to rescue people stuck in the quake. China&#39;s official earthquake monitoring agency said more than 1,000 aftershocks had been reported, the most powerful reaching 4.8 magnitude&nbsp;on the Richter&nbsp;Scale.

The quake injured at least &nbsp;263 people with several still missing. Relief agencies - the Red Cross Society of China and Save the Children - have been mobilising teams to rescue people with several highways and roads still blocked along the disaster-hit region.

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A second earthquake rocked western China, this time registering a magnitude 6.6. in a remote area of Xinjiang

China evacuated nearly 60,000 people after a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck a remote, mountainous part of China's southwestern province of Sichuan killing at least 19 people on Wednesday. A second earthquake rocked western China on Wednesday, this time registering a magnitude 6.6. in a remote area of Xinjiang, Reuters reported. The People's Daily said 32 people had been injured in the mostly rural area. The quake's epicentre was in Jinghe, about 100 km from the border with Kazakhstan, where about 140,000 people live, according to Xinhua. Meanwhile, the provincial government told AFP that most of the tourists including locals were evacuated even as aftershocks continued to disrupt Sichuan province. Several buildings were damaged in the quake's epicentre in Aba prefecture with China's state-run news agency Xinhua adding more than 30,000 people were evacuated from Jiuzhaigou alone. President Xi Jinping has called for "all-out efforts" as China pressed the Army and relief workers to rescue people stuck in the quake. China's official earthquake monitoring agency said more than 1,000 aftershocks had been reported, the most powerful reaching 4.8 magnitude on the Richter Scale. The quake injured at least 263 people with several still missing. Relief agencies - the Red Cross Society of China and Save the Children - have been mobilising teams to rescue people with several highways and roads still blocked along the disaster-hit region.

Rescue operations underway as another earthquake hits western China

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck a remote, mountainous part of China&#39;s southwestern province of Sichuan, killing 19 people, including six tourists, and injuring 247, the provincial government and official media said on Wednesday.

The quake hit a sparsely populated area 200 km (120 miles) northwest of the city of Guangyuan late on Tuesday at a depth of 10 km (6 miles), the U.S. Geological Survey said. It was also close to the Jiuzhaigou nature reserve, a tourist destination.

Sichuan is frequently struck by tremors. A huge quake there in May 2008 killed almost 70,000 people.

A separate quake with a magnitude of 6.6 struck a remote part of China&#39;s far northwestern region of Xinjiang, more than 2,000 km (1,240 miles) away, on Wednesday morning, the Chinese earthquake administration said. The People&#39;s Daily said 32 people had been injured in the mostly rural area.

The Sichuan government said rescuers were gradually evacuating tourists and residents who had been cut off by landslides.

Six tourists were among those killed, according to the official China News Service.

State television said 19 people had been killed, and that most of those injured were not seriously hurt.

The Sichuan government said that as many as 30,000 tourists had been evacuated from the quake zone, leading to traffic jams on the narrow roads.

A few dozen tourists were camped out at Jiuzhaigou airport, waiting for flights. The airport was open and beginning to evacuate people by air, state media said.

A traveller with a young daughter who gave his family name as Li said he was in his hotel when the earthquake hit.

&quot;The walls and floor shook. Some things fell off the table,&quot; he said.

Some people were injured in the hotel but most were fine.

&quot;The rescue services showed up quickly and gave us water and things to eat,&quot; Li said.

He was given priority to be evacuated as he was with a small child. &quot;At first the road was blocked but they had cleared a lane this morning for ambulances.&quot;

A French man and a Canadian woman suffered light injuries, Xinhua reported.

The Sichuan government said earlier fears that part of a hotel had collapsed were overblown, with only relatively minor damage and everyone evacuated safely.

The Sichuan earthquake administration, which also measured the quake at a magnitude of 7.0, said the epicentre of the tremor was in Ngawa prefecture, which is largely populated by ethnic Tibetans, many of whom are nomadic herders.

The area was rattled by a number of aftershocks on Wednesday.

Pictures on state-run social media sites showed some damage in Jiuzhaigou, with tiles having fallen from buildings and people gathering outdoors.

State television said electricity had now largely been restored to the affected areas and the military was also sending rescuers to help with relief efforts.

The Sichuan government said on one of its official social media sites that more than 38,000 tourists were currently visiting Jiuzhaigou.

Shaking was felt in the provincial capital, Chengdu, and as far away as Xian, home of the famous terracotta warrior figures, according to the government.

The Xinjiang quake&#39;s epicentre was in Jinghe county, about 100 km (60 miles) from the border with Kazakhstan, where about 140,000 people live, according to Xinhua.

Residents several hundred kilometres away in Urumqi, and the cities of Karamay and Yining, felt strong tremors, Xinhua said. The jolt lasted about 20 seconds, it said.

The quake hit a sparsely populated area 200 km (120 miles) west-northwest of the city of Guangyuan on Tuesday evening at a depth of 10 km (6 miles), the US Geological Survey said

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck a remote, mountainous part of China's southwestern province of Sichuan, killing 19 people, including six tourists, and injuring 247, the provincial government and official media said on Wednesday. The quake hit a sparsely populated area 200 km (120 miles) northwest of the city of Guangyuan late on Tuesday at a depth of 10 km (6 miles), the U.S. Geological Survey said. It was also close to the Jiuzhaigou nature reserve, a tourist destination. Sichuan is frequently struck by tremors. A huge quake there in May 2008 killed almost 70,000 people. A separate quake with a magnitude of 6.6 struck a remote part of China's far northwestern region of Xinjiang, more than 2,000 km (1,240 miles) away, on Wednesday morning, the Chinese earthquake administration said. The People's Daily said 32 people had been injured in the mostly rural area. The Sichuan government said rescuers were gradually evacuating tourists and residents who had been cut off by landslides. Six tourists were among those killed, according to the official China News Service. State television said 19 people had been killed, and that most of those injured were not seriously hurt. The Sichuan government said that as many as 30,000 tourists had been evacuated from the quake zone, leading to traffic jams on the narrow roads. A few dozen tourists were camped out at Jiuzhaigou airport, waiting for flights. The airport was open and beginning to evacuate people by air, state media said. A traveller with a young daughter who gave his family name as Li said he was in his hotel when the earthquake hit. "The walls and floor shook. Some things fell off the table," he said. Some people were injured in the hotel but most were fine. "The rescue services showed up quickly and gave us water and things to eat," Li said. He was given priority to be evacuated as he was with a small child. "At first the road was blocked but they had cleared a lane this morning for ambulances." A French man and a Canadian woman suffered light injuries, Xinhua reported. The Sichuan government said earlier fears that part of a hotel had collapsed were overblown, with only relatively minor damage and everyone evacuated safely. The Sichuan earthquake administration, which also measured the quake at a magnitude of 7.0, said the epicentre of the tremor was in Ngawa prefecture, which is largely populated by ethnic Tibetans, many of whom are nomadic herders. The area was rattled by a number of aftershocks on Wednesday. Pictures on state-run social media sites showed some damage in Jiuzhaigou, with tiles having fallen from buildings and people gathering outdoors. State television said electricity had now largely been restored to the affected areas and the military was also sending rescuers to help with relief efforts. The Sichuan government said on one of its official social media sites that more than 38,000 tourists were currently visiting Jiuzhaigou. Shaking was felt in the provincial capital, Chengdu, and as far away as Xian, home of the famous terracotta warrior figures, according to the government. The Xinjiang quake's epicentre was in Jinghe county, about 100 km (60 miles) from the border with Kazakhstan, where about 140,000 people live, according to Xinhua. Residents several hundred kilometres away in Urumqi, and the cities of Karamay and Yining, felt strong tremors, Xinhua said. The jolt lasted about 20 seconds, it said.

Quake in China's Sichuan kills 19, injures 247

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