At least 23 people injured in earthquake in South Korea's southeastern region

By Park Sae-jin Posted : September 14, 2016, 21:39 Updated : September 14, 2016, 21:39

[Yonhap News Photo]


At least 23 people have been injured in this week's earthquake that hit South Korea's southeastern region, authorities said Wednesday.

The magnitude-5.8 quake was felt across South Korea Monday with its epicenter in Gyeongju about 280 kilometers (173 miles) southeast of Seoul. It was the strongest quake to date since South Korea started collecting related data.

As of 5:00 pm (0800 GMT), 23 people were injured, the Ministry of Public Safety and Security said, adding seven were sent home after being treated in hospitals.

The ministry reported 1,118 cases of property damage, including cracks in 362 houses and buildings. In Gyeongju and nearby areas, 23 cultural assets have been damaged.

Gyeongju is the capital of the ancient Korean kingdom of Silla (57 B.C.-A.D. 935), has many national treasures such as Cheomseongdae, the oldest astronomical observatory in East Asia, and Seokguram Grotto, an eighth-century Buddhist cave temple.

Aju News Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
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