Northwest China residents were recently badly affected by a natural disaster, and it ended with several tragedies
The earthquake ended with Chinese people desperate for search and rescue, which President Xi Jinping called for after the tragedy
China reports fatalities and injuries
In a devastating turn of events, a powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Jishishan County, Gansu Province in China, and neighbouring Qinghai Province on 18 November 2023 night. The death toll reported by New York Times has been heart-wrenching, with 120 and 96 injuries recorded in Gansu alone, while more lost their lives in Qinghai. China faced an earthquake in 2008 that left 87 00 dead or missing.
Earthquake in China makes President spring into action
Chinese President Xi Jinping didn’t waste any time. On Tuesday, he gave urgent orders to increase search and rescue efforts, put the relocation of injured people at the top of the list, and make sure that everyone and everything is safe. Premier Li Qiang said the same thing in his own set of instructions.
Infrastructure devastation in China unfolds
The quake wreaked havoc on houses and critical infrastructure, causing widespread damage to water, electricity, and roads in the epicentre and surrounding areas.
Earthquake devastates Qinghai Province
The effects spread to Qinghai Province, where 11 people died and 140 were hurt in Haidong city. Houses fell down in counties and districts like Minhe, Xinhua, and Hualong, which meant that power lines and communication networks needed to be fixed right away.
China’s National Response Emergencies stepped up
The gravity of the situation prompted a swift response from the State Council’s Earthquake Relief Command and the Ministry of Emergency Management, which moved the national earthquake emergency reaction to Level II. The National Disaster Prevention and Relief Committee also raised the level of the national disaster relief emergency reaction at the same time.
Rescue operations in China’s emergency service are underway
As a result, 1,440 firefighters from national comprehensive fire and rescue teams have been sent to help with the rescue operations. On top of that, 1,603 firemen from Gansu and nearby provinces are ready to be sent right away, which is a sign of hope in the midst of this tragedy.