In an earthquake measuring 6,5 degrees on the Richter scale that hit the Xinjiang region in the far west of China, three people died and 71 were injured, while thousands of houses were destroyed, officials said today.
The earthquake struck early yesterday morning in Pishan district, in the Hotan region, and in the first reports it was stated that six people were killed, but today the Chinese Earthquake Administration announced data on three dead and 71 injured people, reports AP.
"Buildings were shaking and people rushed into the streets," said &'in Singchang, one of the residents of Hotan, where the majority of the population is Uyghur.
Authorities said the economic losses were at least $30 million.
Pishan is located on the southern edge of the Taklamakan desert not far from the border with India and is very rich in mineral resources, including coal, crude oil, natural gas and jade.
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