LOC19:47
16:47 GMT
TOKYO, Feb 23 (KUNA) -- Over 1,700 houses were damaged in an earthquake that hit northwest China's Muslim-majority Xinjiang region, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported Monday, citing local authorities.
The earthquake measuring 5 on the Richter scale hit Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Sunday afternoon, affecting nearly 6,800 people, and causing a direct economic loss of CNY 92.23 million (USD 15 million) so far.
No casualties were reported. Three teams of experts are carrying out disaster relief operations in 132 villages near the epicenter, the report said. (end)
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