A powerful magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck north-west China's Gansu and Qinghai provinces just before midnight on Monday, claiming the lives of at least 111 people and injuring over 200. The tremor, which was initially reported as magnitude 6.0 by the US Geological Survey (USGS) and later revised, struck in Gansu's Jishishan county, causing substantial damage to buildings, disrupting power and water supplies, and prompting a significant emergency response.
The quake, occurring at a depth of 10 km, led to the collapse of houses and infrastructure, sending residents into the streets in panic. Videos on social media depicted the aftermath with debris-strewn streets and damaged structures. The state news agency Xinhua reported that 100 fatalities occurred in Gansu, while an additional 11 were recorded in neighboring Qinghai province. The injured tally includes 96 in Gansu and 124 in Qinghai.
More than 110 people have died in a 6.2-magnitude earthquake that jolted China's Gansu Province midnight Monday. #Gansu #earthquake pic.twitter.com/EYpDP55UIv — China Xinhua News (@XHNews) December 19, 2023
Chinese authorities swiftly launched an emergency response, dispatching rescue personnel to the quake-hit areas. Provincial leaders made their way to the epicenter to oversee rescue and relief efforts. The earthquake's impact was felt as far away as Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province, located about 100 km southwest of the epicenter. University students in Lanzhou were seen evacuating dormitories, as images on social media showed young people gathered outside buildings.
China's President Xi Jinping has called for an all-out search and rescue operation to minimize the casualties and hasten recovery efforts. Relief materials, including tents, folding beds, and quilts, are being sent to the disaster zone. The devastation brought by this quake is reminiscent of previous seismic events in China, such as the 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Sichuan province last September, which claimed 74 lives, and the catastrophic 7.9 magnitude quake in 2008 that killed nearly 90,000 people.
Earthquakes are not uncommon in China, which has a history of significant seismic activity. The region's complex tectonic settings contribute to the frequency and intensity of these natural disasters. The government's emphasis on rapid response and comprehensive recovery efforts reflect the lessons learned from past experiences with earthquakes.
The aftermath of the quake has seen a concerted effort by local authorities and national leaders to provide immediate relief and support to those affected. The disaster has once again highlighted the importance of emergency preparedness and the resilience of communities in the face of natural calamities.
