Death Toll from Zhonggansu Earthquake Rises to 118: "Worst in 10 Years"

Xi Jinping "All Efforts Must Be Made for Treatment and Repairs"
Authorities "Aftershocks of Magnitude 5.0 or Higher Possible Within Days"

The death toll from the earthquake in Gansu Province, northwest China, has risen to 118. Chinese President Xi Jinping has instructed that all efforts must be made to treat the injured and repair infrastructure.

According to China Central Television (CCTV) on the 19th, the number of deaths from the earthquake in Jishishan County, Linxia Prefecture, Gansu Province, has increased to 118. In the affected area, 105 people died and 397 were injured, while 13 deaths were reported in the neighboring Qinghai Province.

Death Toll from Zhonggansu Earthquake Rises to 118: "Worst in 10 Years"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

This scale of damage is the deadliest earthquake in 10 years since the 2014 earthquake in Yunnan Province that killed 617 people. The earthquake occurred at 11:59 p.m. the previous day, with the epicenter located at 35.70 degrees north latitude and 102.79 degrees east longitude, and a depth of 10 km.

As of the morning of the 19th, 4,782 households in the region were affected by the earthquake, and nine aftershocks of magnitude 3.0 or higher were observed, according to Gansu authorities. The authorities forecast that aftershocks of magnitude 5.0 or higher may occur within the next few days. In Jishishan County, where the damage was severe, power supply was temporarily cut off but was restored around 9 a.m. on the 19th.

President Xi instructed the authorities on the same day to make every effort to treat the injured, repair infrastructure, and resettle affected residents. He stated, "Search and rescue operations must be carried out, and timely treatment of the injured is essential to minimize casualties." He also said, "The People's Liberation Army should actively cooperate with local governments to carry out emergency rescue and relief activities." The Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management and Ministry of Finance have allocated 200 million yuan (approximately 36.556 billion KRW) in relief funds to Gansu and Qinghai regions. Additionally, support will be increased by providing tents, folding beds, blankets, dispatching medical personnel for treating the injured, and reinforcing rescue teams.

Meanwhile, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center, a magnitude 5.5 earthquake occurred at 9:46 a.m. on the same day in Atushi City, Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Autonomous Region. The epicenter was at 40.02 degrees north latitude and 77.86 degrees east longitude, with a depth of 10 km. Atushi City also experienced a magnitude 5.4 earthquake on the 8th of last month. Specific damage details have not yet been confirmed.