A recent earthquake in Gansu province, northwestern China, has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 118 lives, with 397 individuals injured, according to a report from the state-run Xinhua news agency. This natural disaster occurred on Tuesday, local time.
The earthquake, measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale, inflicted extensive damage across the region. Numerous buildings, including residential homes, have collapsed, compelling residents to flee into the streets in panic. Emergency teams are actively engaged in rescue operations.
The seismic event’s epicenter was pinpointed approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Lanzhou, the provincial capital. It was followed by a series of aftershocks. The tremors have also affected parts of neighboring Qinghai province.
In response, China’s National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Mitigation and Relief, along with the Ministry of Emergency Management, has initiated a level IV response plan. This action is crucial, particularly as the affected area is situated in a high-altitude, cold region, necessitating additional precautions to prevent secondary disasters.
The temperature in Linxia, close to the quake’s epicenter, dropped to around minus 14 degrees Celsius on Tuesday morning. This incident coincides with a recent cold wave sweeping across most of China, further complicating the situation for rescue efforts and those impacted by the earthquake.
