China Earthquake: Following the powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake, at least 111 people have died in China‘s Gansu and neighbouring Qinghai provinces, according to state media Xinhua, which cited the local earthquake relief headquarters. This occurs after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 struck an ethnic county in Gansu Province, northwest China, at midnight on Monday.
Magnitude of the Tragedy
According to the New York Times, which cited Chinese state media, there are about 200 injuries in addition to the death toll. In order to protect people’s lives and property, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for “all-out” search and rescue operations as well as appropriate preparations for those impacted. Global Times claims that Xi has issued significant directives that call for extensive search and rescue operations, appropriate relocation of impacted individuals, and the highest level of effort to guarantee the safety of people’s lives and property.
National Response Upgrade
Another development is the upgrading of the national earthquake emergency response to Level II by the Ministry of Emergency Management and the State Council’s earthquake relief headquarters. The focal depth of the Monday earthquake, which jolted at 11:59 p.m. (local time), was 10 km, according to Xinhua, which cited the China Earthquake Networks Centre. The county seat of Jishishan Bao’an, Dongxiang, Sala Autonomous County in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu, is approximately 8 km away from the epicentre, located in Liugou Township.
Essential Services Disrupted
Houses, roads, and other infrastructure were reportedly damaged by the earthquake, according to witnesses. Water supply interruptions and power outages have affected numerous villages. According to Xinhua, which cited regional meteorological authorities, Jishishan’s daily low temperature is expected to drop to minus 10 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.
Massive Rescue Mobilization
With the assistance of 88 fire engines, 12 search and rescue dogs, and over 10,000 sets of equipment, the provincial fire and rescue department has dispatched 580 rescuers to the disaster area. Ren Zhenhe, the governor of Gansu, and Hu Changsheng, the party chief, have hurried to the disaster site to oversee rescue and relief efforts. According to Xinhua, the railway authority has also ordered a safety inspection of the railway tracks and suspended passenger and freight trains travelling through the earthquake zone.
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