Massive earthquake in China claims 118 lives: Here's what we know so far

In a devastating overnight earthquake in northwestern China, at least 118 lives have been lost, and rescue efforts face challenges due to bone-chilling temperatures as low as -14°C. The quake has taken its toll on both Gansu and neighboring Qinghai provinces.

As of 1 pm local time, the death toll in Gansu stands at 113, with 536 reported injuries. Qinghai has seen at least 13 casualties and 182 injuries. Satellite monitoring of the affected area has been initiated, aiming to provide crucial information on landslides, barrier lakes, and building collapses through high-resolution images.

In response to the disaster, approximately 14,700 students and teachers from 15 boarding schools in Jishishan county, Gansu, have been successfully evacuated with no reported injuries or deaths. The quake, with its epicenter in Jishishan, struck approximately five kilometers from the provincial boundary with Qinghai.


Gradual Restoration of Services
Communication services are gradually being restored in the affected area, and the National Energy Administration reports that over 80% of power outages have been rectified.

Gansu: A Poverty-Stricken Province
Gansu, known for its remote and mountainous terrain, is one of China's economically challenged provinces. Despite recent efforts to alleviate poverty, it remains one of the most impoverished regions, with an average annual disposable income per head of just 37,570 yuan (£4,175), according to the Economist Intelligence Unit.

The earthquake, the deadliest in China in a decade, triggered landslides, burying half a village in silt. The disaster has claimed 118 lives, left over 500 injured, damaged houses and roads, and disrupted power supplies. Chinese state-owned media reports 20 people missing in a landslide in neighboring Qinghai.

Emergency authorities in Gansu urgently appeal for 300 additional workers to aid in search and rescue operations, as the Red Cross issues a plea for clothing, blankets, antibiotics, and wound treatment.

Gansu's local finance department has allocated 20 million yuan (£2.2m) for earthquake relief, and the province has dispatched supplies including tents, folding beds, quilts, mattresses, and stoves. The Red Cross emphasizes the ongoing need for warm clothing and blankets.

China's military transport plane, Y-20, has landed in Gansu's capital, Lanzhou, carrying army soldiers and materials to support relief efforts.

President Xi Jinping's Call for Action
As of now, Chinese state media confirms 118 fatalities in the earthquake, with more than 550 injuries and at least 20 individuals still missing. President Xi Jinping has called for an extensive search and rescue operation to minimize casualties, acknowledging significant damage to water and electricity lines, as well as transportation and communications infrastructure.

Impact Beyond the Epicenter
The quake's shockwaves reached Lanzhou, the Gansu provincial capital, approximately 1,450 kilometers (900 miles) southwest of Beijing, prompting university students to evacuate their dorms. Tents, folding beds, and quilts are being dispatched to the disaster area to aid those affected by this tragic event.