Powerful earthquake hits western China

An earthquake of around 7 magnitude has struck China’s far western region of Xinjiang.

There are no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

China’s government put the epicentre in Yutian county in the far south of Xinjiang. It is mostly desert and mountain but also has land used for farming.

Local authorities say the nearest settlement is
some 50 kilometres away and that a 20-person rescue team was being sent to the area.

The US Geological Survey initially put the magnitude at 6.9 before downgrading it to 6.8.

Chinese authorities have put the magnitude at 7.3.