In the wake of China's deadliest earthquake in years, the aftermath reveals a devastating toll on remote villages in northwest China, with at least 118 lives lost and hundreds more injured. Rescuers are diligently working through the rubble of collapsed homes in impoverished Gansu province, where the shallow tremor just before midnight shook the region.
Officials report that the quake caused 105 deaths and nearly 400 injuries in Gansu province, while the city of Haidong in neighboring Qinghai province saw an additional 13 fatalities, 182 injuries, and 20 people missing. The quake, measuring 5.9 in magnitude, damaged thousands of homes, particularly ramshackle brick structures, forcing residents into the freezing streets for safety.
Heart-wrenching accounts from survivors paint a vivid picture of the chaos and fear that ensued. A woman shared a video on social media, recounting how she narrowly escaped the collapsing earth on the mountain, with debris thudding on the roof as she fled her house.
This earthquake marks China's deadliest since 2014, a tragic event in southwestern Yunnan province where over 600 people lost their lives. The recent quake's epicenter, near Gansu's provincial capital Lanzhou, experienced aftershocks, with officials warning of the possibility of tremors exceeding 5.0 in the coming days.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for "all-out efforts" in search and rescue operations. The high-altitude area, where temperatures are below freezing, poses additional challenges for rescuers, who must be vigilant against secondary disasters.
Provincial officials report nearly 5,000 homes damaged in Gansu, with disrupted power and water supplies in villages around the epicenter. Emergency services, including over 1,400 firefighters and rescue personnel, are on the scene, with the central government allocating 200 million yuan ($28 million) in relief funding to mitigate the impact of losses from the disaster.
As the world watches, China confronts a familiar foe—earthquakes—which have struck the nation before. In this challenging moment, the resilience of the affected communities and the tireless efforts of rescuers come to the forefront, emphasizing the urgent need for support and solidarity in the face of tragedy.
