China: 6.2-magnitude earthquake hits northwest Gansu

latest reports suggest that at least 127 died in northwest China earthquake. 

State media said the quake tremor caused the deaths of at least 113. A further 14 died in Haidong in neighbouring Qinghai province, state-run newspaper the People's Daily reported. 

The strong overnight earthquake destroyed homes and left residents out in a below-freezing winter night.

So far, at least 126 people have been killed as per local agencies.

It became the deadliest quake in nine years in nation's history. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his "deep" condolences to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in the aftermath of the earthquake.  

"In Russia, we share the pain of those who lost their loved ones in the disaster and hope for a speedy recovery for all those injured," said Putin in a message addressed to Xi, according to a statement from the Kremlin.

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake jolted Jishishan County of Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Gansu Province, at 23:59 Monday, according to China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The epicenter, with a depth of 10 km, was monitored at 35.7 degrees north latitude and 102.79 degrees east longitude, the CENC said.