The aftermath of the recent magnitude-6.2 earthquake in China continues to unfold, with the death toll now reaching 131 and almost 1,000 people injured. The quake, which struck just before midnight on Monday, severely impacted Jishishan county, located near the border of Gansu and Qinghai provinces.
Severe Damage and Aftershocks
The quake and its subsequent strong aftershocks caused widespread destruction, damaging or destroying over 150,000 homes. The region experienced mud and landslides, with significant damage to power lines and other local infrastructure. The devastation has been so extensive that it is challenging the capabilities of rescue teams and medical personnel on the ground.
Freezing Weather Challenges
Complicating the rescue operations are the extremely cold temperatures, which have dipped as low as -16C in the affected areas. The cold wave, sweeping across most of China, is severely hampering the efforts of the 1,500 firefighters, 1,500 police officers, 1,000 soldiers from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and around 400 medics engaged in the rescue efforts. Despite these challenges, 78 people have been rescued in Gansu, though 20 individuals remain missing in Minhe county, where a mudslide has caused considerable damage.
Ongoing Rescue Efforts
Rescue teams continue to work tirelessly, braving the harsh weather to pull survivors from the rubble and administer critical medical care to the injured. However, the fear of aftershocks and further collapses has led many residents to avoid returning to their homes. Instead, they are congregating in open spaces, gathering around fires for warmth and safety.
This natural disaster has brought to light the resilience and determination of the rescue teams and the affected communities, as they face the combined challenges of the earthquake’s aftermath and the extreme cold. The rising death toll is a stark reminder of the quake’s severity and the urgency of the ongoing rescue operations.
Also learn about Severe Cold Hinders Rescue Operations in China’s Deadly Earthquake.
