Several Injured, Homes Destroyed As Powerful 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Western China

Chinese state media has reported that a magnitude 7.1 earthquake slammed the border region between Kyrgyzstan and Xinjiang on Tuesday, resulting in several casualties and demolished buildings.

The China Earthquake Administration reported that the epicentre of the earthquake occurred at 2:09 a.m. (19:09 WAT) and at a depth of 22 km in the hilly border area of Wushi County in the Xinjiang province of northwest China.

Of the six injured, four had minor injuries and two had significant ones. Furthermore, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region’s administration shared on its official Weibo social media account that 47 houses suffered collapses, 78 houses had sustained damage, and several agricultural constructions had collapsed.

Authorities in Aksu noted that although the earthquake brought down power lines, power was immediately restored.

Xinhua News reported that according to the Xinjiang Earthquake Agency, five villages are situated within a 20-kilometer (12-mile) radius of the epicentre, which is around 50 kilometres (31 miles) away from Wushi.

China Earthquake Networks Centre also reported that 40 aftershocks had been recorded as of 8 a.m. local time (01:00 WAT).

On China’s Weibo social media network, users stated that Yining, Urumqi, Korla, Kashgar, and the neighbouring areas felt the full force of the earthquake.

The Xinjiang railway agency allegedly suspended operations right away, and the earthquake reportedly disrupted 27 trains, according to Xinhua.

In cooperation with the Ministry of Emergency Management and the Office of the Earthquake Relief Headquarters, China’s Earthquake Administration stated it promptly initiated emergency response services and sent out a team to direct local rescue operations.

According to China’s Ministry of Emergency Management, many ministries coordinated rescue operations and supplied heating stoves, cotton tents, jackets, comforters, mattresses, and folding beds, Xinhua said.

Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi

Follow us on: