Extensive rescue and relief efforts underway after Xinjiang earthquake

Rescuers search for survivors in Aksu prefecture in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. [Photo provided by Aksu Fire Brigade to chinadaily.com.cn]

Extensive rescue and relief efforts are underway to assist those affected by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, which resulted in three deaths and five injuries, according to a news conference on the quake held on Tuesday night.

The epicenter, with a depth of 22 km, struck Wushi county in Aksu prefecture shortly after 2 am on Tuesday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

Before the conference started, the officials and reporters who participated in the conference observed a moment of silence to mourn the people who lost their lives during the quake.

All the injured have been sent to hospitals for treatment. A total of seven teams, comprising around 150 medical personnel, have been deployed to the affected areas to offer medical services, mental counseling, as well as disease outbreak control and prevention.

As of 7 pm on Tuesday, the Xinjiang Earthquake Agency and the China Earthquake Networks Center have held four consultations and concluded that the earthquake is of the main shock-aftershock type, and aftershocks will continue for some time, officials said at the conference at Wushi county in Aksu prefecture.

Officials also reminded the masses in the disaster areas to stay away from the damaged houses and not to return to the damaged houses temporarily to avoid danger.