The earthquake that struck northwest China's
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Monday morning has killed 257
people and injured over 1,000 others by 17:15, local government
officials said.
The earthquake is the most serious in the region since 1949, when
New China was founded.
More than 1,000 houses and school buildings have collapsed in a
village in Bachu County, the epicenter of the earthquake that
measured 6.8 on the Richter scale.
Some officials from the China Seismological Bureau and local
seismological bureau have flown to the area.
Several other places including Jiashi County, Kashi City, Bachu
County, Artux County and Markit County also felt strong
tremors.
The earthquake occurred at 39.5 degrees north latitude and 77.2
degrees east longitude, according to the China Seismological
Bureau.
(Xinhua News Agency February 24, 2003)