A catastrophic magnitude-6.2 earthquake has jolted Jishishan county in China’s northwestern province of Gansu, claiming at least 116 lives and injuring hundreds. The tremor, which occurred on Monday, December 18 at around 11:59 am (local time), has left a trail of destruction, reported the Chinese state media.

Rising Death Toll and Widespread Damage

The quake has caused extensive damage, with buildings and houses collapsing, leading to a state of panic as people rushed to the streets for safety. The number of missing people is yet unknown, deepening the crisis in the affected regions.

Rescue Operations Amid Freezing Temperatures

Amidst freezing temperatures, around 2,200 rescue personnel from various departments, along with military and police forces, have been deployed for search and relief efforts. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for “all-out efforts” to ensure the safety of survivors and manage the disaster.

Harrowing Conditions for Rescue Teams

The cold snap across China has brought below-freezing temperatures, complicating the rescue operations. Efforts are being made to prevent secondary disasters, with residents seen warming themselves by fires and emergency services setting up tents.

USGS and CENC Reports on the Earthquake

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake had a magnitude of 5.9 and was centered near the border with Qinghai province. The region experienced nine aftershocks, intensifying the seismic crisis.

Tectonic Activity in Western China

Earthquakes are common in China’s western provinces, such as Gansu, due to the region’s location on the tectonically active Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. This natural vulnerability adds to the region’s seismic risks.

Another Quake Strikes Xinjiang

In a shocking turn of events, hours after the Gansu earthquake, a 5.5-magnitude quake struck China’s northwestern Xinjiang region, adding to the nation’s seismic woes.

  China, earthquake, Gansu, Qinghai, USGS, Xi Jinping, Xinjiang