GROZNY, October 11 (RIA Novosti) - The number of people killed in Chechnya in an earthquake measuring about 5.5 on the Richter scale has risen to six, and 116 people have been injured, the Russian North Caucasus republic's emergencies ministry said.

Akhmed Dzheirkhanov, an acting department head at the ministry, said buildings had been destroyed in several districts of Chechnya as well as in the capital, Grozny, and the cities of Gudermes and Argun.

The residents of Grozny, especially those living in multistory buildings, were reported to be leaving their homes in fear of more tremors.

People in the neighboring republics of North Ossetia, Daghestan, Ingushetia and Kabardino-Balkaria, as well as the Stavropol Territory, were also affected by the quake.