- A 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit Gansu province in China.
- Thousands of workers have been involved in rescue efforts.
- Images depict villages split by the earthquake, collapsed buildings, and houses.
Rescue operations in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in China’s northwest, which claimed the lives of at least 131 people, are drawing to a close. Authorities announced on Wednesday that the focus is shifting to providing medical care for the injured and assisting those who have lost their homes.
The 6.2 magnitude quake struck Gansu province on Monday night, causing injuries to nearly 1,000 individuals in the mountainous region. Despite the challenging conditions of sub-zero temperatures, thousands of workers have been tirelessly involved in rescue efforts.
Tuesday saw temperatures drop to -13°C (8.7°F), adding to the difficulties faced by both rescuers and survivors. Much of northern China is experiencing a cold snap, with record-low temperatures reported in several cities.
In the neighboring Qinghai province to the south of Gansu, 16 people are still missing. Jishishan County, the hardest-hit area in Gansu, reported extensive damage with over 5,000 buildings affected. Mudslides triggered by the quake damaged numerous structures, and landslides further impacted roads.
Heart-wrenching images from the region depict entire villages split by the earthquake, along with collapsed buildings and houses. Displaced residents are shown seeking warmth around makeshift fires at hastily arranged evacuation camps.
Survivors recounted the terrifying experience, likening the tremors to being “tossed by surging waves,” prompting them to quickly evacuate their apartments. As the rescue phase concludes, the focus now turns to providing essential support for those affected by this tragic natural disaster.
“I woke my family up and we rushed down all 16 floors in one breath,” said one man named Mr Qin by Chinese outlets.
Monday’s earthquake in China is the deadliest since 2014 when a quake in the southwestern Yunnan province claimed over 600 lives. Chinese President Xi Jinping has mobilized thousands of firefighters, soldiers, police, and medical personnel to the affected region, Gansu, known for its diverse population and economic challenges.
Situated between the Tibetan and Loess plateaus, bordering Mongolia, Gansu is one of China’s poorest and ethnically varied regions. The earthquake’s epicenter was in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, home to various Chinese Muslim communities, including the Hui, Bonan, Dongxiang, and Salar people.
Chinese authorities reported a magnitude of 6.2 on the Richter scale, while the US Geological Survey recorded it as 5.9 with a depth of 10km (6 miles). Numerous smaller aftershocks followed the initial quake, and officials have cautioned about potential tremors exceeding a magnitude of 5.0 in the days to come. The affected area’s remoteness, coupled with its economic challenges, has prompted a significant response from the government to aid those impacted by the disaster.
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