Huge 6.5 magnitude earthquake strikes China

The US Geological Survey confirmed the quake struck near Jiuzhaigou – famed for its natural beauty and popular with tourists.

The Sichuan earthquake administration said the epicentre of the tremor was in Ngawa prefecture, largely populated by ethnic Tibetans, many of whom are nomadic herders.

It was 120 miles north-west of Guangyuan in the Sichuan province at a depth of just six miles.

Shaking was felt in the provincial capital Chengdu and as far away as Xian, home of the Terracotta Warriors, according to users of Chinese social media.

Eerie pics to emerge show people gathered in the street in Jiuzhaigou where there is minor damage.

Tiles have fallen from buildings but there is no major carnage.

Another pic shows debris littered on the ground.

State TV cited a resident in a village near Jiuzhaigou as saying no buildings had collapsed, but that there had been strong shaking and people had fled outdoors.

A quake in Sichuan in May 2008 killed almost 70,000 people.

This comes as a 5.3 magnitude earthquake hit the holiday resort of Bodrum in Turkey.

Source: Independent.co.uk