China earthquake: Over 110 dead, several injured, as strong tremor rattle Gansu-Qinghai

China earthquake: A devastating earthquake, registering a magnitude of 6.2, shook the Gansu-Qinghai border region in China, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Reports from Chinese media painted a grim picture, citing a death toll of at least 111 individuals and more than 230 others injured in the aftermath.

The seismic event, initially estimated at 6.1 by the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), struck at a depth of 35 kilometers, its epicenter located 102 kilometers west-southwest of Lanzhou, the provincial capital of Gansu. However, conflicting reports emerged with Chinese state media pegging the earthquake's magnitude at 6.2. The epicenter of this tragic event was a mere 5 kilometers from the border between the neighboring provinces of Gansu and Qinghai. The tremors reverberated strongly across Qinghai, causing widespread effects throughout the region.

The response to this disaster was swift, with China's national commission for disaster prevention, reduction, and relief, along with the Ministry of Emergency Management, activating a level-IV disaster relief emergency. As rescue efforts surged, the challenging terrain of the high-altitude region compounded the difficulties, especially with temperatures plummeting to minus 14 degrees Celsius in Linxia, Gansu, close to the quake's focal point.

Reports indicated significant damage to crucial infrastructures like water, electricity, transportation, and communication networks. However, specific details regarding the extent of the damage remained scarce in official statements.

Efforts in rescue and relief were immediately mobilised, with teams dispatched to assess the impact and guide local relief operations. Tragically, the quake's nature as a thrust-type rupture, a rare occurrence in this region, compounded the challenges posed by the disaster. Amidst freezing temperatures and darkness, video clips and social media posts showcased the devastation, with emergency personnel sifting through debris, residents huddling by fires for warmth, and the grim aftermath of collapsed buildings.

While earthquakes are not unfamiliar in China, each event brings its own set of challenges. Previous seismic events like the 2008 7.9-magnitude quake that claimed over 87,000 lives, including numerous school children, remain etched in the nation's memory. And more recent incidents in 2022, like the 6.6-magnitude quake in Sichuan province, further remind us of the devastating power of nature.

As rescue operations persist and the affected region grapples with the aftermath, the nation mourns the lives lost and endeavors to provide solace and support to those affected by this recent tragedy.

Xi Jinping calls for urgent action post strong earthquake ravages China

Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued a fervent call for extensive search and rescue operations and the implementation of essential measures to ensure the safety and security of lives and property in the wake of a powerful earthquake.

The devastating 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck northwest China's Gansu Province and neighboring Qinghai, claiming the lives of at least 111 individuals, as reported by state media Xinhua, citing updates from local earthquake relief headquarters. The seismic event rattled an ethnic county in Gansu Province at midnight on Monday, causing substantial casualties and injuries.

In addition to the staggering death toll, approximately 200 individuals have suffered injuries, according to the New York Times, quoting information from Chinese state media. Responding to this critical situation, President Xi Jinping has emphasised the imperative for an exhaustive search and rescue operation and the necessity for comprehensive measures to aid affected individuals and safeguard lives and property.

As per reports from Global Times, Xi has issued crucial directives, emphasizing the urgency for extensive search and rescue efforts, proper resettlement of affected citizens, and the maximum exertion of efforts to ensure their safety.

In an elevated response to the crisis, the State Council's earthquake relief headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management have escalated the national earthquake emergency response to Level II, as reported by Xinhua.

The China Earthquake Networks Center reported that the earthquake struck at 11:59 p.m. local time on Monday, with a focal depth of 10 kilometers. The epicenter, located in Liugou Township, was approximately 8 kilometers from the county seat of Jishishan Bao'an, Dongxiang, Sala Autonomous County in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu.

Eyewitnesses detailed significant damage to houses, roads, and critical infrastructure. Multiple villages have experienced power outages and disruptions to water supplies, intensifying the challenges faced by affected communities.

In response to this crisis, local meteorological authorities reported a daily low temperature of minus 10 degrees Celsius in Jishishan on Tuesday. The provincial fire and rescue department swiftly mobilized 580 rescuers, supported by 88 fire engines, 12 search and rescue dogs, and over 10,000 sets of equipment to aid in the disaster-stricken area.

Leadership at various levels, including Hu Changsheng, Party chief of Gansu, and Ren Zhenhe, governor of Gansu, have rushed to the disaster area to oversee and coordinate rescue and relief efforts. Furthermore, the railway authority has suspended both passenger and cargo trains passing through the affected zone and initiated a comprehensive safety check of railway tracks, as per Xinhua's report.