Massive Earthquake In China's Gansu Province Kills At Least 111

At least 111 people were killed in northwest China when an earthquake caused buildings to collapse. Rescue workers were swiftly mobilized to commence rubble excavation.

The provincial earthquake relief headquarters, as reported by state broadcaster CCTV, stated that a powerful, shallow tremor in Gansu province resulted in around 100 fatalities and left many more injured.

CCTV reported that in the adjacent province of Qinghai, specifically in the city of Haidong, 11 people lost their lives and 100 others sustained injuries.

The earthquake resulted in considerable destruction, including fallen homes, and led to people fleeing to the streets for protection, according to the state news agency, Xinhua.

Early Tuesday saw the commencement of rescue operations, with the President of China, Xi Jinping, demanding "all-out efforts" be put into the search and relief operations. He also emphasized the importance of guaranteeing the safety of survivors and their belongings.

The quake, which was logged as magnitude 5.9 by the US Geological Survey, struck in Gansu near the border with Qinghai, where Haidong is located.

The epicenter is around 100 kilometers southwest of Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province. The earthquake was followed by several smaller aftershocks.

Xinhua reported earthquake, which was experienced as far as Xi'an in northern Shaanxi province, around 570 kilometres away, as magnitude 6.2.

Some local villages experienced disruptions in power and water supplies, according to Xinhua.

In Northern China, temperatures have plummeted significantly below the freezing point. The state media footage from one of the most severely affected regions shows locals huddling around a fire for warmth, as emergency services establish tents.

Videos on social media showcased the sight of collapsed ceilings and various other rubble.

The USGS reported that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres (six miles) at 11:59 pm local time on Monday (1559 GMT). Initially, the magnitude was reported as 6.0, but it was later revised downward.

In response to the earthquake, authorities initiated an emergency procedure, sending rescue teams to the affected area. Xinhua reported that provincial leaders were also on their way to the site.

China frequently experiences earthquakes. For instance, in August, a 5.4-magnitude earthquake of shallow depth hit the eastern part of the country, resulting in injuries to 23 individuals and the destruction of numerous buildings.

In September 2022, Sichuan province was struck by a 6.6-magnitude earthquake, resulting in nearly 100 fatalities.