A 7.2-magnitude earthquake has struck in Xinjiang province in north-west China.
The quake occurred at 0633 local time on Friday (2233 GMT on Thursday), according to the US Geological Survey.
The epicentre was about 140 miles (225km) south-east of Hotan city, near Yutian county, the US agency said.
Early Chinese reports of the incident had no details of casualties or damage. Xinjiang is sparsely populated, with a mainly Muslim population.
The US Geological Survey said the quake hit at a depth of 22.9km (14.2 miles) and reported two aftershocks - the first with a magnitude of 5.3 and the second of 5.5.
In 2003 a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in western Xinjiang killed more than 260 people and destroyed 10,000 homes.
^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~18~RS~)