Relief efforts underway after earthquake hits Xinjiang

Rescue and relief efforts are underway to assist those affected by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake that hit the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Tuesday, which has resulted in three deaths and five injuries, according to official reports.

All the injured have been sent to hospital for treatment, and seven teams, with around 150 medical personnel, have been deployed to the affected areas to provide assistance and psychological counseling, as well as disease outbreak control and prevention, said officials at a conference held in Wushi county in the region's Aksu prefecture.

Nearly 12,500 individuals have been relocated to safety following the quake, which struck Wushi county shortly after 2 am on Tuesday at a depth of 22 kilometers.