6.2-magnitude earthquake in NW China kills 111

BEIJING: A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Jishishan county in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China’s Gansu Province on Monday midnight.

As of 4am on Tuesday, the earthquake had caused 100 fatalities and 96 injuries in Gansu and another 11 were killed in neighboring Qinghai Province.

Chinese President Xi Jinping issued important instructions on Tuesday regarding the earthquake in Gansu, demanding full-scale search and rescue efforts, proper resettlement of affected people, and maximum efforts to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property. Premier Li Qiang also issued instructions, local media reported.

According to Pakistan’s official news agency, it is the deadliest earthquake in terms of casualties in China following the devastating 2010 earthquake in Yushu, Qinghai Province, and the second-largest in magnitude.

Notably, since the 2010 Yushu, the biggest earthquake had also occurred in Gansu Province with a maximum magnitude of 6.6, resulting in nearly 100 fatalities.

Houses and infrastructure related to water, electricity, and roads in and around the epicentre were damaged to varying degrees.

The earthquake-stricken area in Gansu experienced mountain collapses, and there was displacement in the supports of a local bridge.

The earthquake also affected the neighbouring province of Qinghai. As of 6am on Tuesday, the earthquake had resulted in 11 deaths and 140 injuries in Haidong city.

Some houses collapsed in counties and districts such as Minhe, Xunhua, and Hualong. Local electricity lines and communication networks were under urgent repair, and efforts in personnel rescue and disaster assessment were ongoing.

In light of the severe disaster, the State Council’s Earthquake Relief Command and the Ministry of Emergency Management have raised the national earthquake emergency response to Level II.

The National Disaster Prevention and Relief Committee and the Ministry of Emergency Management have also elevated the national disaster relief emergency response to Level II.

Following the quake, a total of 1,440 firefighters from the national comprehensive fire and rescue teams were deployed to the disaster area for rescue efforts. Additionally, 1,603 firefighters from Gansu and surrounding provinces assembled and were on standby.

According to Gansu earthquake administration, multiple consecutive tremors occurred late at night, with the maximum magnitude reaching 6.2. A total of 140 aftershocks have been recorded, with the largest measuring 4.1 in magnitude.

Areas in other regions including southwest China’s Sichuan Province, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, also experienced tremors.

Meanwhile, President Dr Arif Alvi on Tuesday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives in China due to earthquake.

“I would like to extend my sincere sympathy and heartfelt condolences on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan with the bereaved families and people and leadership of China,” he said in a statement issued by the President House.