As of press time, 10 people were killed and 34 were injured Monday in the earthquake in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, according to the regional seismological bureau.

The quake, measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale, occurred at 9:38a.m. Monday, with the epicenter located at 43.1 degrees north latitude, 80.1 degrees east longitude, about 80 kilometers away from the county proper of Zhaosu.

The quake was strongly felt in Zhaosu County and surrounding areas, and a provisional investigation showed that more than 700 houses collapsed and nearly 140 houses were in critical condition.

The local seismological bureau has sent a rescue team to the quake-hit area.

Zhaosu County is located in the bordering area between China and the Republic of Kazakhstan.

(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2003)