A 6.2 magnitude earthquake that struck northwestern China around midnight Monday has left 126 people dead in Gansu and neighboring Qinghai provinces, with President Xi Jinping calling for all-out search and rescue efforts amid freezing weather, according to Chinese state-run media.
The 11:59 p.m. quake, which occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers in Gansu's Jishishan county some 100 km southwest of the provincial capital Lanzhou, also injured over 700 people and damaged more than 7,000 houses in the area, local reports said Tuesday.
Many houses have collapsed and infrastructure related to water, electricity and roads have been damaged, with several villages suffering power failures and disruptions of water supply and telecommunication services, state media said.
Several thousand rescue workers, including military personnel, have been sent to the disaster-hit areas, with blankets and cold weather gear delivered as the temperature in Jishishan, located some 2,000 meters above sea level, could fall below minus 10 C at night, according to the reports.
A Kyodo News reporter witnessed in Jishishan some people affected by the quake lining up for meals offered by volunteers and taking shelter in makeshift tents. Roads were cracked and debris was scattered near collapsed houses.
A male survivor, 56, who lost seven people he knows, including his neighbors, said, "I hopped out of bed following the strong jolt, and my house is now completely gone." He said he worries about aftershocks and his livelihood after the disaster.
A woman in her 70s said she had wrapped herself in a blanket as she had to spend the last night outdoors following the quake. The reporter saw many cars carrying relief supplies head to the disaster area.
The U.S. Geological Survey put the temblor's magnitude at 5.9. More than 30 aftershocks were recorded, with the largest registering a magnitude of 4.0, the official Xinhua News Agency said.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen offered condolences to those who have lost loved ones in the quake, saying in a post on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, "We hope for a swift recovery. Taiwan stands ready to offer assistance in the disaster response effort."
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sent a message to Xi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. He expressed condolences to the victims' families and also mentioned Tokyo's readiness to provide necessary support, according to Japan's Foreign Ministry.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also expressed his condolences to Xi. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who is currently visiting Beijing, told Li on Tuesday that Moscow is ready to assist China in dealing with the quake's aftermath, Russia's Tass news agency said.
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