Urumqi (CNS) -- An earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale has affected over 120,000 locals and caused an economic loss of nearly 180 million yuan in Ili, northwest China's Xinjiang, the local authority said on November 3. No deaths and casualties were reported.
The earthquake hit the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, where the Yining County and the Gongliu County meet, at around 8:21 a.m. on November 1, followed by another one measuring 4.1 magnitude near the area where Kuenes County and Nilka County meet.
Five neighboring counties and the city of Ghulja were affected.
2,453 houses collapsed, 59,035 are damaged, and 122,372 residents are affected. Some schools were suspended owing to dangerous buildings. Direct economic losses amount to 177.596 million yuan.
Most affected residents turned to their relatives and friends for help, with the rest relying on government aid for the moment, from tents to flour, from coals to drinking water, and basic daily necessities were assured, according to a local official.
Follow-up relief materials are on the way. The government also arranged dedicated work teams to help the victims.
