A 6.2 earthquake magnitude has rattled northwest China.
At least 118 people have died and hundreds more have been injured.
AFP reports that the quake’s epicentre was Jishishan County in Gansu Province, near the border with Qinghai Province.
111 people died and 220 people were injured in the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred in China's Gansu province. #ChinaEarthquake pic.twitter.com/0g8P0tq3G0
— 〽️Metin Smn (@MetinSmn) December 19, 2023Homes and roads bore the brunt of the tremor’s force, with severe damages reported across the affected region.
The earthquake struck a shallow depth, exacerbating the impact and disrupting power and water supplies.
A series of aftershocks further heightened the crisis.
ALSO READ: China’s President says economic recovery ‘still at critical stage’
Photo: AFP
Rescue operations are underway in the frigid aftermath, with teams battling sub-zero temperatures to reach survivors.
WATCH: Rescuers sift through rubble
Residents in the affected area, situated at a high altitude, are grappling with harsh winter conditions. Given the immediate challenges posed by altitude and cold weather, the response is urgent.
111 people died and 220 people were injured in the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred in China's Gansu province. #ChinaEarthquake pic.twitter.com/0g8P0tq3G0
— 〽️Metin Smn (@MetinSmn) December 19, 2023China, known for its seismic activity, particularly in the southwestern regions, is confronting one of the deadliest earthquakes in nearly a decade. The last comparable tragedy struck in 2014 when an earthquake in Yunnan province claimed the lives of approximately 600 people.
The current quake adds to a tragic history of natural disasters, underscoring the nation’s resilience and ongoing efforts to address such crises.
As rescue efforts intensify amid the grim aftermath, the nation mourns the lives lost and braces for the arduous task of rebuilding shattered communities in the wake of this catastrophic event.
