At least 111 were killed in a magnitude 6.2 earthquake in northwest China’s Gansu and Qinghai provinces, reported state news agency. Xinhua News Agency said 86 died in the province of Gansu and another nine in neighbouring Qinghai province in the earthquake, which occurred late on Monday evening.
Search and rescue operations were underway in Gansu province and Qinghai province of China. The earthquake left more than 230 people injured, damaged houses and roads, and knocked out power and communication lines, according to the media reports.
State broadcaster CCTV said 100 people died in the province of Gansu and another 11 in the neighbouring province of Qinghai in the earthquake, which struck at a depth of 10 kilometres just before midnight on Monday.
State media Global Times reported Chinese President Xi Jinping issued important instructions regarding the earthquake, demanding full-scale search and rescue efforts, proper resettlement of affected people, and maximum efforts to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property.
The earthquake caused severe damage, including collapsed houses, and sent people running into the street for safety, the news agency said. Rescue work was underway early on Tuesday.
The earthquake, which was logged as magnitude 5.9 by the US Geological Survey and magnitude 6.2 by Xinhua, struck in Gansu province near the border with Qinghai province, where Haidong is located.
Power and water supplies were disrupted in some local villages, the report added. Fallen ceilings and other debris could be seen in videos posted on social media.