Eight killed after earthquake rocks China’s northwest

Eight people have reportedly died after a magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck China’s western Xinjiang region.

The quake hit 213km south-southwest of Kashgar at a depth of 8km on Thursday, the US Geological Survey said.

According to Chinese newspaper People’s Daily, 11 other people were injured and have been taken to local hospitals for treatment.

Photos posted to social media show several buildings in ruins.

UPDATE: 8 people killed, 11 others injured after 5.5-magnitude earthquake jolted west of China’s Xinjiang Thursday https://t.co/nRQqKMLPlt pic.twitter.com/AWmvWchHlQ

— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) May 11, 2017

#UPDATE: 8 people confirmed dead and 11 others injured in Xinjiang earthquake; search and rescue work underway https://t.co/7w2HkKeR7e pic.twitter.com/lFrCbdDPJE

— People’s Daily,China (@PDChina) May 11, 2017