A moderate earthquake that struck close to the earth’s surface killed eight people and injured more than 20 others in far western China on Thursday, the region’s earthquake administration said.
BEIJING – A moderate earthquake that struck close to the earth’s surface killed eight people and injured more than 20 others in far western China on Thursday, the region’s earthquake administration said.
The morning quake struck in Taxkorgan county, a remote mountainous area that borders Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan in China’s Xinjiang region. The Xinjiang Earthquake Administration said more than 180 houses had collapsed in the lightly populated area.
The U. S. Geological Survey said the 5.4-magnitude quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles) at 5: 58 a.m. Thursday (2158 GMT Wednesday) . Shallow quakes cause greater shaking at the surface, which can cause more damage.
