China: Death toll rises to at least 126 after earthquake in Gansu province

At least 126people have been killed after a 6.2 magnitude earthquake jolted a remote and mountainous county in northwest China, reported the country’s state media, on Tuesday (Dec 19).

The quake struck Jishishan county in China’s northwestern province of Gansu at around 11:59 am (local time), on Monday (Dec 18) at a depth of 10 kilometres, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

What happened?

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At least 113people have been killed and over 530others have been injuredin the Gansu province after the strong, shallow tremor, reported the Chinese state media citing provincial officials, as of Tuesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, at least 13others were killed and 182injured in the city of Haidong in the neighbouring province of Qinghai.

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The quake has reportedly caused significant damage, including collapsed buildings and houses, prompting people to run to the street for safety, reported Chinese state news agency Xinhua.

The number of people missing in the quake’s aftermath was later updated to 20 people.

Search and rescue amid freezing temperatures

Rescue and relief efforts are underway and a working group has been dispatched to assess the impact of the disaster, the state media has reported. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for “all-out efforts” for search and relief work as well as ensuring the safety of the survivors.

Meanwhile, China’s finance ministry and emergency management ministry allocated $27.9 million (200 million yuan) for the earthquake-hit Gansu and Qinghai provinces, reported CCTV.

Around 2,200 rescue personnel from various local departments as well as professional emergency rescue teams were dispatched, while military and police were also engaged in rescue work, reported the Chinese news agency.

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The earthquake came amid a cold snap in China which had led to below-freezing temperatures in most parts of the country. Therefore, efforts are also on to prevent secondary disasters caused by factors beyond the quake, according to the Chinese news agency.

A report by AFP citing footage of the quake’s aftermath from one of the worst-hit areas by CCTV shows residents warming themselves by a fire while emergency services set up tents. Power and water supplies were disrupted in some local villages, reported Xinhua.

The temperature in Linxia, Gansu, near where the quake occurred, was about minus 14 degrees Celsiusas of Tuesday morning.

About the earthquake

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), themagnitude of the quake was 5.9 and it struck Gansunear the border with Qinghai, where Haidong is located. The strong tremors, according to Xinhua, were felt in many parts of neighbouring Qinghai province.

The epicentre of the earthquake is said to be five kilometres away from the border between Gansu and the neighbouring province and around 100 kilometres southwest of Gansu province’s capital, Lanzhou.

The region also saw a total of nine aftershocks at magnitude 3.0 and above, on Tuesday morning, two of which were at least 4.0 in magnitude, according to CENC.

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Earthquakesare common in China'swestern provinces such as Gansu as it lies onthe eastern boundary of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, a tectonically active area.

5.5-magnitude earthquake hitsXinjiang

Hours after the earthquake in Gansu, a5.5 quake struck China's northwestern Xinjiang region at 9:46 am (local time), reported the CENC.

(With inputs from agencies)