At Least 116 Dead After 6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Northwestern China

Updated Dec 19, 2023, 04:21am EST. A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck China's mountainous northwestern region just before midnight local time on Monday, killing at least 116 people and leaving hundreds more injured. The earthquake's epicenter was near Jishishan county in the northwestern Gansu province, at a relatively shallow depth of 6.2 miles, Chinese authorities said Tuesday morning. Rescuers usually have a 72-hour window to rescue people trapped under rubble following an earthquake, with chances of finding survivors dropping sharply after that. According to a USGS assessment, that is the most likely estimate for economic loss caused by the earthquake, adding it is a "Red alert for economic losses." The agency notes that "Extensive damage" from the quake "Is probable and the disaster is likely widespread.". The China Earthquake Administration said nine aftershocks at a magnitude of 3.0 and above were recorded as of early Tuesday morning-including two above magnitude 4.0. Over 110 dead and hundreds hurt after 6.2 earthquake strikes Gansu in northwestern China. Earthquake in northwestern China kills at least 116 people in Gansu and Qinghai provinces.