BEIJING - China's disaster relief departments on Saturday initiated emergency response for quake relief efforts in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

The decision was made by the Civil Affairs Ministry and the State Disaster Relief Commission, one day after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake jolted Lop county in Hotan of Xinjiang.

A work team was sent to assist disaster relief efforts there immediately following the quake. Local authorities in the region also sent staff door-to-door in rural areas to assess damage.

As of 8 pm Friday, the quake had affected more than 15 counties in Hotan and nearby Aksu, with 270,000 residents relocated and more than 8,600 houses destroyed or seriously damaged, according to local authorities.

Food and shelter have been provided to ensure the basic needs of those affected.

The normal order of production and life remained steady, according to the disaster relief administrators. Traffic, communication, power and water supply are operating normally, and no schools or hospitals are closed.