The aftermath of China's deadliest earthquake in years continues to unfold, with the death toll reaching 148, as reported by state media on Friday. The earthquake, striking northwest China just before midnight on Monday, has claimed at least 117 lives in Gansu province and 31 in neighboring Qinghai, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.
Emergency response efforts have led to the relocation of over 139,000 people to emergency shelters in the affected provinces. The focus of rescue operations in Gansu is now shifting towards the resettlement of those affected and providing medical care to the injured, as highlighted by state broadcaster CCTV. However, in Qinghai, rescue teams are still actively searching for trapped victims as of Friday morning.
The town of Zhongchuan in Qinghai faced a tragic incident on Tuesday, where individuals were buried alive due to a "sand boil," a phenomenon that occurs during earthquakes, causing soil liquefaction and forcing sand and water to erupt from the ground.
This earthquake marks China's deadliest since 2014 when over 600 lives were lost in the southwestern Yunnan province. The recent quake, measured at 5.9 by the US Geological Survey, resulted in nearly 1,000 injuries across Gansu and Qinghai, with subsequent aftershocks compounding the challenges faced by affected regions.
The relief operation is further complicated by subzero temperatures, adding an extra layer of difficulty to aid efforts. Survivors have been observed gathering around outdoor fires to stay warm in the wake of the disaster. As the nation grapples with the aftermath, attention remains on addressing the immediate needs of displaced individuals and providing essential medical support.
More: https://phys.org/news/2023-12-china-earthquake-death-toll.html
