JISHISHAN – The 6.2-magnitude earthquake that jolted an ethnic county in northwest China’s Gansu Province midnight Monday has killed 111 people in Gansu and neighbouring Qinghai Province, according to local earthquake relief headquarters.
According to the China Earthquake Networks Centre, the quake struck at 11.59pm Monday and has a focal depth of 10km. The epicentre of Liugou Township is about 8km from the county seat of Jishishan Bao’an, Dongxiang, Sala Autonomous County in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu.
Witnesses told Xinhua the earthquake has caused damage to houses, roads and other infrastructure. Several villages have suffered power failures and water disruptions.
According to local meteorological authorities, the daily low temperature in Jishishan is reported to reach -10 degrees Celsius today.
The provincial Fire and Rescue Department has sent 580 rescuers, aided by 88 fire engines, 12 search-and-rescue dogs, and more than 10,000 sets of equipment, to the disaster area.
The railway authority has suspended passenger and cargo trains passing through the quake zone and ordered a safety check of railway tracks.
Hu Changsheng, party chief of Gansu, and Ren Zhenhe, governor of Gansu, have rushed to the disaster area to command rescue and relief. – December 19, 2023