An earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale struck China`s northwestern region of Xinjiang province on Friday with its epicentre monitored at a depth of 10 km. Several aftershocks were reported minutes following the initial quake. Initially there was no report of death but later on it was confirmed that six people were killed and 48 others injured in it. Apart from it, several houses and other buildings collapsed or were damaged. A level-II emergency has been issued by the local administration in response to the quake.