7.1-magnitude earthquake rattles part of western China, injuring 6 people and collapsing 47 homes

BEIJING (AP) — A magnitude 7.1 earthquake has struck a sparsely populated part of China’s western Xinjiang region, injuring six 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. Tuesday, and around 200 rescuers were dispatched to the epicenter. The quake downed power lines but electricity was quickly restored. 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.