Strong earthquake tremors were felt in northwest China late Monday night. The earthquake’s intensity was 6.2 on the Richter scale.
The earthquake was so powerful that it razed many buildings to the ground. 110 people have died in this incident, while many people are injured.
The death toll may increase further. Rescue operation is being conducted to take out the people trapped in the debris.
Pictures and videos of China’s devastating earthquake are continuously appearing on social media. Collapsed roofs and other debris can be seen in the video. There are reports that the earthquake was felt as far as Pakistan.
China’s government media said in its report that strong earthquake tremors were felt in Gansu province at 11:59 pm on Monday night.
Its intensity was 6.2 on the reactor scale. At least 111 people have died after buildings collapsed due to an earthquake in northwest China. State media reported Tuesday that rescue workers were digging through the debris. Life is being searched in the debris.
State broadcaster CCTV, citing the provincial earthquake relief headquarters, said strong tremors were felt in Gansu province. Another 11 people were killed and 100 injured in the earthquake in Haidong city in the neighboring province of Qinghai.
State news agency Xinhua said the earthquake caused extensive damage, including house collapse. On social media, people can be seen running on the streets to save their lives.
Rescue work begins, death toll may increase
Relief and rescue work is going on since early Tuesday. Chinese President Xi Jinping has appealed to the people to maintain peace and cooperation.
Jinping assured that the search and relief work will ensure the safety of survivors and their property.
several shocks one after another
The earthquake’s epicenter was about 100 kilometers (60 mi) southwest of Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province. There are reports that several smaller aftershocks were also felt after the initial earthquake.
The quake – which was felt about 570 kilometers (350 miles) away in Xi’an, northern Shaanxi province, had a magnitude of 6.2, Xinhua said. Electricity and water supply has been disrupted in some local villages.
China has faced earthquakes before too
Earthquakes are not an uncommon occurrence in China. In August this year, a 5.4 magnitude earthquake was felt in eastern China, in which 23 people were injured and dozens of buildings collapsed.
In September 2022, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Sichuan province, killing about 100 people. Earlier in 2008, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake left more than 87,000 people dead or missing. 5,335 school students were also among the dead.