Heartbreaking news from China as a magnitude 6.2 earthquake has devastated a cold and mountainous region in northwestern China, leaving at least 111 people dead and more than 230 injured. Search and rescue operations are underway in Gansu province and neighboring Qinghai province as the region grapples with the aftermath of the disaster.
The quake, which struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (six miles) just before midnight on Monday, has caused significant damage to houses and roads, as well as knocking out power and communication lines. State broadcaster CCTV reported that there was damage to water and electricity lines, as well as transportation and communications infrastructure.
With the overnight low in the area dropping to minus 15 to 9 degrees Celsius (5 to 16 degrees Fahrenheit), the China Meteorological Administration said, an all-out search and rescue effort is underway to minimize casualties. University students in Lanzhou, the Gansu provincial capital, rushed out of their dorms, and images on social media showed young people standing outside, illustrating the panic and urgency in the region.
Tents, folding beds, and quilts are being sent to the disaster area, and Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called for an all-out search and rescue effort. The earthquake was felt in Lanzhou, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) northeast of the epicenter.
This devastating event comes as a reminder of the vulnerability of the mountainous area of western China, known for its frequent seismic activity. Last year in September, at least 74 people were reported killed in a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in China’s southwestern province of Sichuan, further highlighting the ongoing threat of earthquakes in the region.
China’s deadliest earthquake in recent years was a 7.9 magnitude quake in 2008 that killed nearly 90,000 people in Sichuan. With the aftermath of that tragedy in mind, the ongoing efforts to minimize the impact of earthquakes in the region are crucial to prevent further loss of life and damage.
The Stakes Have Never Been Higher
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