4,000 aftershocks rattle China’s quake-hit Xinjiang

Four thousand aftershocks have been recorded in China’s northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region after a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck the area, prompting authorities to evacuate more than 66,000 people.

The official death toll from the temblor on Friday has been revised to three from <g data-gr-id="11">six,</g> while 71 people have been injured.

The shallow quake, one of the worst to hit the region, struck Pishan County of Hotan Prefecture yesterday, with its epicentre recorded at a depth of 10 km, said China Earthquake Networks Centre (CENC). State-run CCTV reported that the areas have suffered 4,000 aftershocks, some having a magnitude of more than four. The earthquake damaged 12,000 houses, local officials said. In excess of 66,000 people have been evacuated, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.