State media Xinhua has reported that the powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake in China’s Gansu and Qinghai provinces has claimed the lives of at least 111 individuals. The earthquake struck a county in Gansu Province at midnight on Monday, resulting in additional injuries to around 200 people, as reported by the New York Times citing Chinese state media.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has responded to the situation by calling for an ‘all-out’ effort in search and rescue operations and proper arrangements for those affected to safeguard lives and property. Xi has issued crucial instructions, emphasizing comprehensive search and rescue initiatives, appropriate resettlement of affected individuals, and maximal efforts to ensure the safety of lives and property.
In a parallel development, the State Council’s earthquake relief headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management have elevated the national earthquake emergency response to Level II. According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the earthquake occurred at 11:59 p.m. local time on Monday with a focal depth of 10 km. The epicenter, Liugou Township, is approximately 8 km from the county seat of Jishishan Bao’an in Gansu.
The earthquake has caused damage to houses, roads, and other infrastructure, with several villages experiencing power outages and water disruptions. Local meteorological authorities reported that the daily low temperature in Jishishan is expected to reach minus 10 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.
In response to the disaster, the provincial fire and rescue department has dispatched 580 rescuers, supported by 88 fire engines, 12 search and rescue dogs, and over 10,000 sets of equipment to the affected area. Hu Changsheng, the Party chief of Gansu, and Ren Zhenhe, the governor of Gansu, have hurried to the disaster area to oversee rescue and relief operations.
Furthermore, the railway authority has taken precautionary measures by suspending passenger and cargo trains passing through the earthquake zone and ordering a safety inspection of railway tracks, as reported by Xinhua.
