BEIJING (Agencies) — A devastating magnitude 6.2 earthquake rocked a cold and mountainous region in northwestern China, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 111 lives, as reported by the country’s state media on Tuesday.
The affected areas, Gansu province, and neighboring Qinghai province, were swiftly engaged in search and rescue operations. The earthquake, striking just before midnight on Monday, caused extensive damage, leaving over 300 people injured. Reports indicate significant harm to homes, infrastructure, and disruption to power and communication lines.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, Gansu province bore the brunt of the disaster, with 100 reported casualties, while another 11 lives were lost in the neighboring province of Qinghai. The quake’s epicenter was in Gansu’s Jishishan county, situated approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the provincial boundary with Qinghai. The seismic event occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers (six miles) and was centered about 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) southwest of Beijing, the capital of China.
As the affected regions grapple with the aftermath, rescue efforts are underway to provide assistance to those injured and to assess and address the widespread destruction caused by this tragic natural disaster.