The earthquake occurring Saturday evening in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has claimed two lives and caused huge damages.

Bairin Zuoqi and Ar Horqin qi, under the administration of Chifeng City, were most seriously hit by the quake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale. Neighboring Bairin Youqi and Wengniute qi also reported house collapses and human injuries.

In Bairin Zuoqi, the quake has killed two people and injured 42, with nine persons seriously hurt, by 5" Fourteen people were injured in Ar Horqin qi and 5,800 herdsman families were affected by the earthquake. A large number of houses were seriously damaged and collapsed because of the quake.

Local sources said it was the most serious earthquake hitting Chifeng City in 700 years.

Chifeng City Seismological Network reported over 60 aftershocks with the most serious one measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale.

Local meteorological department forecast heavy rain in the quake-hit Ar Horqin qi Sunday night.

Local government officials are busy coordinating rescue efforts, collecting further information and estimating the damage at sites by press time.

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