China Earthquake: Death Toll Rises To 131; See Details

The magnitude-6.2 earthquake struck Jishishan County near the border of Gansu and Qinghai provinces in the People’s Republic of China on Monday. The earthquake wreaked havoc on the country. It destroyed more than 150,000 homes. It also caused mud and landslides and damaged power lines and other local infrastructure in China’s northwest.

The earthquake has injured almost 1,000 people. Many people also died because of the earthquake. Thousands of workers have been operating in sub-zero temperatures to rescue people.

Death toll rises 131

On Wednesday morning, the Chinese authorities said that the official death toll had increased to 131 in Gansu, a province in north-central China, with 782 injured, and 18 dead and 198 injured in Qinghai, a sparsely populated Chinese province.

Sixteen people have not been found yet. The death toll can also increase in the coming days. The Chinese authorities said that they would now focus on treating the injured and helping those who lost their homes because of the destructive earthquake.

Around 20 people are still missing from two villages in Minhe county in China.

China earthquake

The powerful magnitude 6.2 earthquake ripped through the provinces of Gansu and Qinghai in China just before midnight on Monday.

The earthquake was followed by several strong aftershocks. Jishishan county was the worst-hit in Gansu province. More than 5,000 buildings in the area had been damaged due to the earthquake.

The earthquake region is home to ethnically diverse communities, including Muslim and Tibetan populations. People in this region are now grappling with the calamity’s aftermath.

Rescue operations hindered due to cold weather

The cold wave swept across most of China. Rescue operations were hindered due to cold weather. China’s north-west reported temperatures as low as -16C, hampering rescue efforts and increasing the suffering of people.

The temperature is expected to continue in the region. However, many people are too afraid to return home because of aftershocks.

The earthquake was reported as China’s deadliest earthquake since 2014.