Eight people have been killed when an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 struck in China's northwest Xinjiang region on Thursday.

The China Earthquake Administration (CEA) said the quake occurred in the remote Taxkorgan County area of Kashgar Prefecture at a depth of 8 km (5 miles).

Xinjiang is frequently jolted by earthquakes, most of which cause little damage.

Reports have it that 11 people were also injured and some building walls had been cracked or had collapsed and that casualty figures were still being compiled.