More than 100 people killed in China’s deadliest quake in several years
No fewer than 118 people were killed in north-west China’s deadliest earthquake in 13 years.
The 6.2-magnitude quake struck mountainous Gansu province at midnight (16:00 GMT) on Monday, shaking neighbouring Qinghai.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has dispatched thousands of rescue personnel to the province, which is among China’s poorest and most diverse.
The death toll may rise further as scores of people were reported injured in the natural disaster.
On Tuesday, a video on state television and other media networks showed entire villages shattered by the earthquake, as well as crumbled buildings and houses.
Residents who had evacuated their homes were also seen seeking shelter in emergency evacuation camps. Temperatures reached -13C (8.7F) on Tuesday, according to Chinese media.
In Jishishan County, more than 5,000 buildings had been damaged, according to a local official.
The epicentre of the quake was in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, home to many Chinese Muslim groups, including the Hui, Bonan, Dongxiang and Salar people, according to the BBC.
Chinese officials explained that the quake measured 6.2 on the Richter scale, while the US Geological Survey (USGS) verified a magnitude of 5.9 and depth of 10km (6 miles). About 10 aftershocks have taken place, local authorities reported.
President Xi has said “all efforts should be made to carry out search and rescue, treat the injured in a timely manner, and minimise casualties”.
The Gansu tremor is China’s deadliest since the catastrophic 2010 quake in Yushu, Qinghai province, which killed over 2,700 people.
