Earthquake

China has elevated its national disaster-relief emergency response to Level II for the earthquake. Over 736 rescuers from central enterprises' projects in nearby areas, along with 2,042 firefighters, have been deployed to the affected region. The Ministry of Emergency Management reported that 74 people have been rescued, 4,298 evacuated, and property worth over 15.3 million yuan (approximately $2.16 million) saved.

Gansu, a poverty-stricken region, frequently experiences seismic activity due to its location between the Tibetan and Loess plateaus. China's susceptibility to earthquakes, evident in historical events, emphasizes the urgency of comprehensive disaster response.

This shallow earthquake struck Jajarkot and Rukum West districts at 11:47 p.m. on Friday night, causing injuries to 140 individuals, as reported by the Nepal Police.

The ongoing rescue operations have encountered challenges due to damaged bridges and blocked roads resulting from landslides triggered by the earthquake, making it difficult for rescue teams to reach some affected areas.

The seismic event occurred in the western Jajarkot district at approximately 2:02 a.m. local time on Saturday, with a shallow magnitude of 5.6 and a depth of 18 km, as reported by the Xinhua news agency, citing data from the US Geological Survey.

In Ouirgane in the Atlas Mountains, one of the hardest-hit villages in the mountainous areas, Xinhua news agency reporters saw all the houses flattened and rescue teams using excavators to clear the debris.

The deaths include 1,351 people reported in the Al Haouz Province, 492 in Taroudant Province, 201 in Chichaoua, and 17 in Marrakesh, added the ministry in a press release on Sunday.