At least 110 people die in an earthquake in China: Xinhua
State media reported on Tuesday that an overnight earthquake in China's northwest Gansu province claimed the lives of at least 110 people. The provincial earthquake relief headquarters cited by the state news agency Xinhua reported an additional 96 individuals were injured in Gansu due to the powerful and shallow seismic activity.
In the neighboring province of Qinghai, specifically in the city of Haidong, Xinhua noted nine fatalities and 124 injuries linked to the same earthquake. The incident caused substantial damage, resulting in the collapse of houses and prompting residents to seek refuge in the streets. Rescue operations were initiated early Tuesday.
While the US Geological Survey recorded the earthquake as magnitude 5.9, Xinhua reported it as magnitude 6.2. The quake occurred in Gansu province near the border with Qinghai, where Haidong is situated. Disruptions to power and water supplies were reported in some local villages, and social media videos captured fallen ceilings and debris.
The earthquake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (six miles) at 11:59 pm local time on Monday, as per the USGS, which initially reported a magnitude of 6.0 before revising it downward. Immediate emergency responses were initiated, with rescue personnel dispatched to the affected area. Provincial leaders were also en route, according to Xinhua.
The USGS indicated that the quake took place approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) southwest of Gansu province's capital, Lanzhou, and was followed by several smaller aftershocks. While earthquakes are not uncommon in China, this incident follows a shallow 5.4-magnitude earthquake in eastern China in August, which resulted in 23 injuries and the collapse of numerous buildings.
