In a significant seismic event, a powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kyrgyzstan-Xinjiang border region on Tuesday, leading to multiple injuries and reports of collapsed houses, as detailed by Chinese state media.
The epicenter of the quake was located at 2:09 a.m. (1809 GMT) at a depth of 22 km (13 miles) in the mountainous border area of Wushi County in northwest China’s Xinjiang region, according to information from the China Earthquake Administration.
The Xinjiang Earthquake Agency reported that the epicenter is approximately 50 km (31 miles) from Wushi, with five villages situated within a 20-km (12 miles) radius around the epicenter, according to Xinhua News.
As of 8 a.m. (0000 GMT), the China Earthquake Networks Center recorded 40 aftershocks, further contributing to the region’s seismic activity.
Reports from netizens on China’s Weibo social media platform indicate that the earthquake was strongly felt in several areas, including Urumqi, Korla, Kashgar, Yining, and their surroundings.
Immediate repercussions were seen in the Xinjiang railway department, which halted operations, affecting 27 trains, as reported by Xinhua.
China’s Earthquake Administration promptly activated emergency response services in collaboration with the Office of the Earthquake Relief Headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management. A specialized group was dispatched to guide local rescue efforts.
The Ministry of Emergency Management coordinated relief efforts, supplying essential items such as cotton tents, coats, quilts, mattresses, folding beds, and heating stoves, according to Xinhua.
Over the last 24 hours, Xinjiang experienced several sizable earthquakes, heightening concerns about the seismic activity in the region.
In neighboring Kazakhstan, the emergencies ministry reported a magnitude 6.7 earthquake. Despite the considerable tremors, residents in the largest city, Almaty, fled their houses and gathered outside in cold weather. No significant damage has been reported.
The earthquake’s impact extended to Uzbekistan, where tremors, followed by aftershocks approximately 30 minutes later, were also felt.
As affected regions grapple with the aftermath, efforts for relief, rescue, and recovery are underway, emphasizing the need for swift and coordinated responses to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.
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