Death toll rises to 127 in earthquake-affected Gansu and Qinghai provinces of China

In China, the death toll from a massive earthquake in Gansu and Qinghai provinces has reached 127. A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck two northwestern provinces on Monday night, sending residents fleeing outside, into below-freezing temperatures. State media has reported that rescuers in remote villages of the country are digging through the rubble of collapsed homes in freezing conditions.

The provincial government said, 113 people in Gansu have lost their lives, while 536 were injured. It also said more than 1 lakh 50 thousand buildings have been destroyed. The authorities of the neighbouring province of Qinghai said 14 people were killed and 198 were



injured. 

They said 20 people are missing after being hit by a landslide. Electricity and water supplies have been disrupted. The Chinese government has dispatched military personnel to support the rescue operation.

It is the deadliest earthquake in China since 2010 when an earthquake measuring 6.9 magnitude on the Richter scale hit Gansu and Qinghai and killed at least 2,698 people.

China’s President, Xi Jinping, called for all-out efforts in the search and rescue work. The Ministries of Finance and Emergency Management have allocated over 22 million pounds in emergency relief funds.