A powerful earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale struck Jishishan County in northwest China’s Gansu Province, killing at least 116 people and injuring many more. The quake struck late Monday night, causing significant damage to highways and homes in the area.
Residents were forced to evacuate their homes, enduring freezing winter temperatures overnight, while rescuers worked diligently to locate survivors trapped under the rubble. According to officials, 397 individuals in Gansu have sustained injuries, with 16 in critical condition and 76 seriously wounded. The tremors, lasting nearly 20 seconds, were felt as far as 102 kilometers (63 miles) away in the provincial capital of Lanzhou.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for ‘all-out’ search and rescue efforts, emphasizing proper arrangements for affected individuals to safeguard lives and property. President Xi issued crucial instructions, urging comprehensive search and rescue operations, appropriate resettlement for affected communities, and maximum efforts to ensure people’s safety.
The State Council’s earthquake relief headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management have raised the national earthquake emergency response to Level II in response to the situation. The quake, which struck at 11:59 p.m. local time on Monday, had a focal depth of 10 km, and its epicenter, Liugou Township, is about 8 kilometers from Gansu’s county seat of Jishishan Bao’an.
Witnesses reported significant damage to houses, roads, and other infrastructure, as well as power outages and water disruptions in several villages. As rescue and relief efforts ramp up, Chinese authorities are committed to dealing with the fallout from this devastating earthquake in Gansu Province.