A 6.8-magnitude earthquake that shook China’s Sichuan province on Monday left at least 46 people dead and several others hurt. The Indian Embassy sent its sincere condolences to the families of those killed in the earthquake.
A 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Luding County in China’s southwest Sichuan region on Monday left at least 46 people dead and several others hurt. The area’s population is already suffering from an increase of Covid-19 cases and an unusual drought.
According to China Earthquake Networks Centre, the epicentre of the earthquake, which struck at 12:25 p.m. local time, was detected at 29.59 degrees north latitude and 102.08 degrees east longitude at a depth of 16 kilometres. There are various communities within a 5-km radius of the epicentre and it is located 39 kilometres from Luding, the county seat.
Local authorities were cited in official media sources as indicating that at least 46 people were murdered and more than 50 others were injured. As rescue crews dispersed into the damaged districts, further casualties were anticipated. 29 of the fatalities came from Ya’an City, and the remaining 17 from Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, which oversees Luding County.
The majority of Chengdu’s population of nearly 21 million people spent the majority of the day outside as earthquakes continued to pound the city. Infrastructure was also affected, including transportation, telecommunications, water, and electrical systems.
“Heartfelt condolences to lives lost in the devastating earthquake in Sichuan on September 5 and prayers for the early recovery of the injured,” the Indian Embassy here tweeted.
RESCUE EFFORTS FOR PREZ ORDERS
To reduce casualties, Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out rescue operations, emphasising that saving lives should always come first. Xi emphasised the importance of seismic monitoring, prevention of additional catastrophes, and effective assistance for those impacted.
Xi ordered the People’s Liberation Army and the People’s Armed Police Force to actively support regional disaster relief efforts while urging the Ministry of Emergency Management and other departments to send teams to Sichuan to oversee the relief work. He also called for the maximum effort to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property.
Premier Li Keqiang called for an urgent assessment of the situation as well as all-out attempts at rescue and medical care.
