MOSCOW

Eight people were hospitalized in Kazakhstan's city of Almaty after an earthquake, the country's Health Ministry said Tuesday.

Forty-four people sought medical assistance for injuries following a series of tremors that shook the former Kazakh capital last night, according to a statement.

Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov raised a high-alert in the earthquake prone regions.

The authorities opened earthquake-resistant reception points in all schools and kindergartens in Almaty, while closing them for classes.

An earthquake of magnitude 7.1 was registered in China near the borders with Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan last night. Tremors were felt in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan.​​​​​​​