Utah governor Gary Herbert has declared a state of emergency in the area ©Getty Images

Governor of Utah Gary Herbert has declared a state of emergency in the area after a 5.7 magnitude earthquake near Salt Lake City in the United States. 

With 50 aftershocks following the earthquake, the town of Magna, which is close to Salt Lake City, has been hit heavily by the disaster.

Salt Lake City is bidding to host the 2030 Winter Olympics, 28 years after the city held the Games in 2002.

Governor Herbert also stressed the need for the area to support repair efforts due to Utah's ongoing fight against COVID-19, a form of coronavirus.

However, citizens have criticised the response with the state of emergency taking two days since the earthquake to be made official.

Salt Lake City are hoping to host the 2030 Winter Olympics but so far Sapporo in Japan and Barcelona and the Pyrenees in Spain have also stated their interest.