Rescuers hurried to begin searching through debris on Tuesday, December 19, as state media claimed that at least 111 people had died when an earthquake in northwest China caused buildings to collapse.
The powerful, shallow earthquake in Gansu province caused almost 100 fatalities and numerous injuries, according to official broadcaster CCTV, which cited the regional earthquake relief headquarters.
In the nearby province of Qinghai, in the city of Haidong, there were 100 injuries and 11 more fatalities, as reported by CCTV.
People fled onto the street in search of protection after the earthquake caused extensive damage, including fallen houses, according to Chinese news agency Xinhua.
Early on Tuesday, rescue operations got underway. Chinese President Xi Jinping urged “all-out efforts” in the search and relief activities as well as making sure that the survivors and their belongings are secure.
The US Geological Survey recorded the magnitude of the earthquake as 5.9. Haidong is located in Gansu, close to the Qinghai border.
The epicentre is located around 60 miles (100 km) southwest of Lanzhou, the provincial capital of Gansu. The original earthquake was followed by many lesser aftershocks.
The magnitude of the earthquake, which was felt in Xi’an, in northern Shaanxi province, some 570 kilometres (350 miles) distant, was estimated by Xinhua to be 6.2.
Some local communities experienced interruptions in their water and power supply, according to Xinhua.
The magnitude of the earthquake, which was felt in Xi’an, in northern Shaanxi province, some 570 kilometres (350 miles) distant, was estimated by Xinhua to be 6.2.
Some local communities experienced interruptions in their water and power supply, according to Xinhua.
CCTV captured photos of emergency vehicles travelling over snow-covered roadways, their lights flashing as they approached the area.
Some photos showed the overalls-clad rescue personnel standing shoulder to shoulder in the vehicles, while other photos showed them forming a rank to take orders.
In other footage, rescue workers could be seen deploying orange stretchers for the victims as they combed through wreckage by torchlight.
In northern China, the temperature has dropped to far below freezing. CCTV footage from one of the worst-affected locations showed locals warming themselves by a fire as rescue personnel pitched tents.
Videos shared on social media showed fallen ceilings and other debris.
As per the USGS, the earthquake occurred on Monday around 11:59 pm local time (1559 GMT), at a depth of 10 km (six miles). The initial report of 6.0 magnitude was revised lower.
Soon after the earthquake, authorities sent rescue workers and emergency response teams to the region, while provincial leaders were also on their way, according to Xinhua.
There are often earthquakes in China. A shallow 5.4-magnitude earthquake that occurred in August in eastern China caused the collapse of several structures and injured 23 persons.
A 6.6-magnitude earthquake that struck the region of Sichuan in September 2022 claimed around 100 lives.
In 2008, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.9 claimed the lives of almost 87,000 people, including 5,335 students.
