Gansu experiences a sudden 6.2 magnitude earthquake

On December 18, at 23:59 Beijing time, a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Jishishan County, Linxia Prefecture, Gansu Province, with a depth of 10 kilometers. As of now, the earthquake has resulted in 105 deaths in Gansu and 11 deaths in Qinghai, with some damage to basic infrastructure such as water, electricity, transportation, and communication. The epicenter is located in Liugou Township, Jishishan, 8 kilometers from Jishishan County, 39 kilometers from Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, and 102 kilometers from Lanzhou City.

According to reports, some single-story houses collapsed in the vicinity of the county seat of Jishishan County, with severe cracks in some walls. The epicenter and surrounding residential buildings, as well as water, electricity, and roads, have suffered varying degrees of damage. Fire and rescue forces are on their way to the scene.

Jishishan, Gansu, has recorded a total of 275 aftershocks.

The official Weibo account of the China Earthquake Networks Center released aftershock statistics: As of 6:00 on December 19, a total of 275 aftershocks have been recorded, including 9 aftershocks of magnitude 3.0 and above, with 0 aftershocks in the magnitude 6.0-6.9 range, 0 aftershocks in the magnitude 5.0-5.9 range, 2 aftershocks in the magnitude 4.0-4.9 range, and 7 aftershocks in the magnitude 3.0-3.9 range; there were 266 aftershocks below magnitude 3.0. As of 8:00 on December 19, the largest aftershock was 4.1 magnitude.

During the earthquake, some residents were seen making fires by the roadside to keep warm. Some were wrapped in blankets, and others were wearing thick cotton-padded jackets. 'We are afraid of more significant aftershocks, so we dare not go back home,' said some residents. The glass on the second floor facing the street was shattered, and glass shards were scattered on the sidewalk. Ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars were frequently traveling back and forth.