China earthquake claims 120 lives, deaths likely to increase

New Delhi, Dec 19: A powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck the mountainous Gansu province in northwest China around midnight last night.

The quake has left 120 people dead, and concerns persist as over 700 individuals have been reported injured, grappling with icy conditions.

Local and social media showcased heartbreaking footage on Tuesday, revealing entire villages split by the quake, along with the haunting sight of collapsed buildings and houses. Fleeing residents sought refuge in hastily erected evacuation camps, battling freezing temperatures that plummeted to -13°C.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has acted, directing thousands of rescue crews to the region, which stands out as one of the poorest and most diverse in China.

Survivors shared harrowing experiences, comparing the tremors to being "tossed by surging waves," recalling their urgent evacuation from their homes.

Officials in Gansu province reported more than 5,000 damaged buildings in the affected area, situated between the Tibetan and Loess plateaus and bordering Mongolia. This remote region stands as one of China's poor and ethnically diverse areas.

There were approximately 10 aftershocks. On Tuesday, Xinjiang, the province west of Gansu, experienced a 5.5 magnitude quake, though no immediate casualties were reported. Disruptions in power and water supplies across the region are hindering ongoing rescue efforts.

China's geographical location, where multiple tectonic plates, including the Eurasian, Indian, and Pacific, converge, makes it highly susceptible to earthquakes.

This recent tragedy follows last September's quake in southwestern Sichuan province, which claimed more than 60 lives.

The Gansu earthquake stands as the deadliest in China since the devastating 2010 quake in Yushu, Qinghai province, which resulted in the loss of almost 2,700 lives.