Deadly Earthquake Strikes Remote Region on Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
A powerful magnitude-6.2 earthquake struck a remote and mountainous region on the northern edge of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau just before midnight on Monday, resulting in significant casualties and challenging rescue efforts. According to Chinese state media, at least 118 people have been reported dead, and hundreds are injured as a result of the earthquake.
The quake, which hit Jishishan county in Gansu province, caused extensive damage to roads, triggered landslides, and partially buried a village in silt. Rescue operations have been hampered by subzero temperatures, compounded by a powerful cold wave affecting most of China.
The earthquake occurred at 11:59 p.m. local time (1559 GMT) on Monday, with its epicenter in Jishishan county, Gansu, at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). As of 7:50 a.m. Tuesday, 105 people were reported dead in Gansu, with 397 injured, and 16 in critical condition. In Qinghai province, at least 13 people were reported dead with 182 injured. Additionally, 20 people remain missing.
Authorities swiftly mobilized emergency responses, with personnel from the Gansu provincial fire department, forest brigade, and professional emergency rescue workers deployed to the disaster zone. Military and police personnel have also been engaged in rescue efforts.
The high-altitude region is experiencing subzero temperatures, making rescue efforts more challenging. Authorities are working to prevent secondary disasters caused by factors beyond the earthquake. The earthquake damaged water, electricity, transportation, and communication infrastructure. Power is gradually being restored, with about 88% of the power supply restored in Jishishan by noon local time.
A major hydropower dam, located 50 km from the epicenter, was reported to be unaffected by the earthquake, operating normally on the upper Yellow River. Preliminary analysis indicates that the earthquake was a thrust-type rupture. At least 32 aftershocks were reported within the first hour after the quake hit, with several registering above magnitude 4.0.
Located between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, China experiences frequent seismic activity. Western provinces, such as Gansu, lie on the eastern boundary of the tectonically active Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. China's deadliest earthquake in recent decades occurred in 2008 when a magnitude-8.0 temblor struck Sichuan, resulting in nearly 70,000 fatalities.
Approximately 3,000 km from Jishishan, another earthquake struck Xinjiang region at 9:46 a.m. local time on Tuesday, registering a magnitude of about 5.5 and at a depth of 10 km.
Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities race against time to locate survivors and address the aftermath of the earthquake. The international community is monitoring the situation closely, and assistance may be sought to manage the consequences of this natural disaster in the affected regions.
