An earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale hit Northwest China's Xinjiang Ugur Autonomous Region Monday morning, leaving 10 people dead and 34 others injured.

The tremor, occurring at 9:38 a.m, also toppled 700 homes and damaged another 140 in Zhaosu County, the Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, according to the regional seismological bureau.

The epicenter is located at 43.1 degrees north latitude, 80.1 degrees east longitude.

The quake was strongly felt in Zhaosu County and surrounding areas, and has collapsed some houses.

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

Earthquakes are common in the rugged northwestern Chinese region. In February, an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck Xinjiang near the Silk Road oasis of Kashgar, killing nearly 300 people and injuring more than 4,000.

A tremor measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale killed one person and injured three in May.

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