7.1 magnitude quake rattles western China, killing at least 3 people and collapsing 47 homes

By KEN MORITSUGU
Associated Press

AKSU, China (AP) — A magnitude 7.1 earthquake has struck a sparsely populated part of China’s western Xinjiang region, killing three people and damaging or collapsing more than 120 homes in freezing cold weather. The quake rocked a mountainous county in Aksu prefecture shortly after 2 a.m. on Tuesday. Although the quake was strong, its epicenter was 3000 meters above sea level, in an area where few people lived. Train service was suspended while safety checks were performed but no problems were found and service was restored. Multiple aftershocks were recorded, the strongest of them at 5.3 magnitude.