China Faces Widespread Destruction Following Enormous Earthquake, with More Than 110 Fatalities Reported.
A deadly earthquake in northwest China resulted in the collapse of buildings, claiming the lives of at least 116 people, as reported by state media on Tuesday. Rescue efforts are underway in freezing conditions, with Gansu province witnessing at least 105 fatalities and nearly 400 injuries due to the strong, shallow tremor that occurred around midnight. Additionally, in the neighboring province of Qinghai, 11 individuals lost their lives, and 100 others were injured in the city of Haidong, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The earthquake resulted in the collapse of homes and significant damage, prompting people to flee to the streets for safety, according to the state news agency Xinhua. A woman in her thirties, visibly shaken, shared her experience in a video, describing the earth giving way and debris falling on the roof as she ran outside with a baby. CCTV footage revealed household items scattered amid the wreckage of a collapsed house. Rescue efforts were initiated, with President Xi Jinping urging “all-out efforts” for search and relief work, especially in the freezing temperatures of the high-altitude area.
The earthquake, initially recorded as magnitude 5.9 by the US Geological Survey, struck in Gansu near the Qinghai border, with its epicenter about 100 kilometers southwest of Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province. Xinhua reported it as magnitude 6.2 and noted its impact reaching as far as Xi’an, 570 kilometers away. Following the initial quake, smaller aftershocks occurred, and officials warned of possible tremors exceeding magnitude 5.0 in the coming days. Another quake measuring 5.2 was detected in Xinjiang province on Monday morning.
The affected region experienced disruptions in power and water supplies, with villagers around the epicenter facing challenges. Emergency services set up tents, and residents gathered around fires for warmth. Over 1,400 firefighters and rescue personnel were dispatched to the disaster zone, with additional support on standby. Relief supplies, including drinking water, blankets, stoves, and instant noodles, were being sent to the affected area.
CCTV footage depicted emergency vehicles traveling along snow-covered highways, rescue workers in action, and evacuations taking place in Gansu. The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth at 11:59 pm local time, and the USGS revised the magnitude from the initial 6.0. While earthquakes are not uncommon in China, the current event adds to a series of recent seismic activities, including a 5.4-magnitude quake in eastern China in August and a 6.6-magnitude quake in Sichuan province in September 2022, which resulted in significant casualties. The devastating 7.9-magnitude quake in 2008 claimed over 87,000 lives, including many schoolchildren.
