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Xinjiang earthquake causes $82.7 mln in economic losses

Xinhua, March 12, 2012

• A 6.0-magnitude earthquake that jolted northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Friday has caused direct economic losses of 523.5 million yuan (82.7 million U.S. dollars), regional authorities said Monday.

  The quake affected 144,000 residents in 16 counties and cities in Hotan, Aksu and Kashgar prefectures, the regional bureau of civil affairs said in a statement.

  Of the affected residents, 36,641 people were displaced after their homes were damaged or destroyed, the statement said. There have been no reports of death or injury.

  Regional authorities have sent 1,101 tents, 3,570 coats, 3,620 quilts and 204 tonnes of food and cooking oil to quake-hit areas to aid in relief efforts.

  The quake struck at 6:50 a.m. Friday, with its epicenter located in Hotan's Lop county.

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