Tragedy strikes northwest China as deadliest earthquake in years claims 127 lives

In the remote villages of northwest China, a devastating earthquake struck on Tuesday, leaving at least 127 people dead and hundreds injured.

The shallow tremor, occurring just before midnight, wreaked havoc in impoverished Gansu province, with additional casualties reported in neighbouring Qinghai province.

As the death toll climbed to 113 in Gansu and 14 in Qinghai, rescuers faced the daunting task of digging through the rubble in freezing conditions.

State media reported more than 155,000 buildings damaged, forcing residents to flee into the icy streets for safety. Heart-wrenching scenes unfolded as survivors recounted their harrowing experiences.

“I am 70, and I have never experienced such a powerful quake in my life,” said resident Ma Wenchang. The quake’s impact was visible, with massive cracks in homes and buildings reduced to rubble. Urgent relief efforts were underway, marked by emergency vehicles and trucks laden with “earthquake relief supplies.”

Volunteers hustled to set up tents in town squares as the temperature plummeted, with military trucks positioned nearby. The urgency was palpable, as a volunteer expressed, “The most urgent task for us is to make things ready quickly as temperatures will reach -17 degrees Celsius tonight.”

The quake marked China’s deadliest since 2014, when over 600 people perished in Yunnan province.

The nation’s western hinterland, prone to seismic activity, recalls the tragedy of the 2008 Sichuan quake, claiming over 87,000 lives.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “all-out efforts,” emphasizing the challenging conditions in the high-altitude area. As search and rescue operations commenced, officials warned of potential aftershocks exceeding magnitude 5.0 in the coming days.

Freezing temperatures added to the complexities, with power and water disruptions reported in villages.

Evacuations were underway, and thousands of firefighters and rescue personnel were deployed. The central government swiftly allocated 200 million yuan ($28 million) in relief funding to mitigate the impact of the disaster.

The international community responded with solidarity, with Russian President Vladimir Putin extending heartfelt condolences.

“In Russia, we share the pain of those who lost their loved ones in the disaster and hope for a speedy recovery for all those injured,” Putin stated in a letter to his Chinese counterpart Xi.

As China grapples with the aftermath of this catastrophic event, the resilience of affected communities and the concerted efforts of rescuers remain crucial in the face of this unprecedented tragedy.