Beijing- China: A strong Earthquake of 6.2-magnitude struck in China's Gansu and Qinghai provinces takibng death toll over 111, with around 200 reported injuries, china media Xinhua reported. The earthquake hit a county in northwest Gansu Province late Monday, causing widespread devastation to communities.
President Xi Jinping has urged immediate and comprehensive search and rescue missions along with the necessary support for affected individuals to safeguard lives and properties. He issued critical directives emphasizing the need for full-scale rescue operations, proper relocation of affected residents, and maximum efforts to ensure their safety and protect their belongings, as reported by Global Times.
In response to the disaster, the State Council's earthquake relief headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management elevated the national earthquake emergency response to Level II. The quake struck at 11:59 p.m. local time on Monday, with its epicenter in Liugou Township, approximately 8 km from the county seat of Jishishan Bao'an, Dongxiang, Sala Autonomous County in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu, as confirmed by the China Earthquake Networks Center.
Witnesses described significant damage to houses, roads, and infrastructure, leading to power outages and water supply disruptions in several villages. The situation is further complicated by a forecasted low temperature of minus 10 degrees Celsius in Jishishan on Tuesday, as per local meteorological authorities.
Efforts for rescue operations have been mobilized, with 580 rescuers from the provincial fire and rescue department, supported by 88 fire engines, 12 search and rescue dogs, and over 10,000 sets of equipment deployed to the affected area. Gansu's Party chief, Hu Changsheng, and governor, Ren Zhenhe, have rushed to oversee rescue and relief operations on-site.
The railway authority has also suspended both passenger and cargo trains passing through the affected area. They have also initiated safety checks on railway tracks in the quake zone to prevent potential hazards, according to official reports.
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