An earthquake measuring 6.8 Richter scale hit the remote mid west
part of Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China at 10:03 a.m. yesterday
morning. 257 people are reported dead and over 2000 seriously injured
informs ACT member in China, Amity Foundation. According to
local news reports the earthquake not only caused many casualties
but severe damage to buildings.
The Xinjiang region is located in the northwestern part of China,
bordering Kyrgyztan. The remote region is a mountainous high-risk
earthquake zone. The earthquake rocked Jiashi and Bachu counties.
The quake hit close to the center of Bachu, home to 370,000 people.
Many aftershocks have been felt. Freezing temperatures has increased
the suffering of those left homeless an estimated 10,000 people.
Rescuers have been deployed by the government and are working through
the rubble looking for survivors. It is estimated that the death toll
could increase as the rescue activities continue.
ACT member, Amity Foundation reports that the most needed
relief materials in the quake-hit areas are water, food rice, quilts,
tents and medicine. They are assessing the situation and the need
for an ACT response.
