Trails of devastation could be seen everywhere in China after a massive 6.2 magnitude left more than 116 dead and over 230 injured. The earthquake occurred at midnight on Monday in the mountainous region of the northwestern part of the country. People who died belonged to the provinces of Gansu and Qinghai.
The State Broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) has reported that damage was caused to water and electricity lines, as well as transportation and communication infrastructures. The earthquake also led to 4700 houses being damaged, after which tents, folding beds, and quilts were sent to the disaster-hit area.
President Xi Jinping called for all-out search and rescue efforts to minimize the casualties in affected areas. He also called for proper resettlement of affected people and maximum efforts to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property. Following this, China’s National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Reduction, and Relief, and the Ministry of Emergency Management have activated a level-IV disaster relief emergency.
According to CCTV footage, the earthquake was also felt in Lanzhou, Gansu provincial capital which is about 1450 kilometers southwest of the country’s capital, Beijing. This led to young students in Lanzhou universities rushing out of their dorms and standing outside the high-raised building.
Since the region where the earthquake took place is at high altitude, with temperatures below freezing point, rescuers are taking precautions for secondary disasters that might take place.
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