Authorities in northwest China are concluding rescue efforts after a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck Gansu province, claiming the lives of at least 131 people.
The quake, the deadliest in China since 2014, injured nearly 1,000 and prompted a massive response from emergency personnel.
With temperatures plummeting to -13°C (8.7°F), rescue teams faced challenging conditions in the mountainous region.
Local officials in the hardest-hit Jishishan county reported over 5,000 damaged buildings, while mudslides and landslides wreaked havoc on infrastructure throughout the province.
Entire villages were split, and survivors sought refuge in makeshift camps.
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Survivors described the tremors as feeling like “being tossed by surging waves,” prompting a rapid evacuation.
President Xi Jinping mobilized thousands of firefighters, soldiers, police, and medical personnel to the impoverished and ethnically diverse region.
Gansu, situated between the Tibetan and Loess plateaus, borders Mongolia and is one of China’s poorest areas.
The earthquake’s epicenter was in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, home to various Chinese Muslim groups.
While Chinese authorities reported a magnitude of 6.2 on the Richter scale, the US Geological Survey recorded 5.9 with a depth of 10km (6 miles).
Dozens of aftershocks followed, with officials warning of potential tremors exceeding 5.0 magnitude in the coming days.
Despite the conclusion of rescue operations, efforts will now shift to treating the injured and aiding those who lost their homes.
President Xi emphasized the importance of timely medical treatment and minimizing casualties.
As China grapples with its seismic vulnerability, the aftermath of this earthquake highlights the need for ongoing support in the region’s recovery.
China Earthquake; Death Toll Rises To At Least 131,
