At least 116 lives were tragically lost as an earthquake devastated northwest China, causing buildings to collapse, according to state media reports on Tuesday. The powerful and shallow tremor struck Gansu province around midnight, claiming at least 105 lives and leaving nearly 400 injured. Additionally, 11 people were reported dead and 100 injured in the city of Haidong in the neighboring province of Qinghai.
The earthquake caused homes to crumble and significant damage, prompting people to flee to the streets for safety. Witnesses described the terrifying experience, with one woman sharing her fear in a video posted on a social media account associated with the state-run People’s Daily newspaper.
Rescue efforts commenced in freezing conditions, with President Xi Jinping urging “all-out efforts” in search and relief work. The high-altitude region’s sub-zero temperatures raised concerns for the well-being of rescuers and the possibility of secondary disasters.
The earthquake, initially recorded as magnitude 5.9 by the US Geological Survey, struck near the Gansu-Qinghai border, with its epicenter approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Gansu’s capital, Lanzhou. Xinhua reported the quake as magnitude 6.2, and several aftershocks followed, with officials warning of potential tremors exceeding magnitude 5.0 in the coming days.
Disruptions in power and water supplies were reported in villages around the epicenter, and emergency services were deployed to set up tents for affected residents. Over 1,400 firefighters and rescue personnel were dispatched to the disaster zone, with additional supplies, including drinking water, blankets, stoves, and instant noodles, sent to the affected area.
Evacuations took place in Gansu, and the quake, striking at a shallow depth at 11:59 pm local time on Monday, left a devastating impact. Earthquakes are unfortunately not uncommon in China, with previous incidents in 2022 and the notorious 2008 Sichuan quake that claimed thousands of lives.
