Updated on August 9, 2017: The powerful earthquake that shook Southwest China’s Sichuan province has wreaked havoc over the southwestern parts of the nation. Until yesterday, the death toll remained at 5, however, more bodies have been found and the death toll has risen to a 13. As per reports, the death toll may rise even further.
Not only this, at least 175 people have been injured with a few suffering severe injuries. Phone networks as well as power outages were also observed after the quake. Not only this, among the injured, at least 28 were in a serious condition as well.
After the earthquake, several aftershocks were also witnessed in many areas of Southwest China. This Chinese region is prone to earthquakes and about nine years ago, the deadliest earthquake of magnitude 7.9 on Richter scale had hit the Sichuan province wherein at least 90,000 people were killed.
Published on August 8, 2017: An earthquake of 6.5 magnitude on Richter scale has struck Southwest China's mountainous region of Sichuan today. At least 5 people have already been killed and around 100 people are trapped in a scenic spot in the area. Phone networks have been affected and power has also been cut due to the earthquake.
The area where the earthquake struck is sparsely populated and lies about 200-kilometer West Northwest of Guangyuan. The depth of the quake is said to be about 9 kilometers as per the United States Geological Survey.
The epicenter of the quake is in Ngawa prefecture and lies close to the Jiuzhaigou nature reserve which happens to be quite a popular tourist spot and is well known for its waterfalls as well as karst formations.
As per the Sichuan government, along with the 5 dead, at least 60 have been injured out of which 30 are severely injured. All the deceased are tourists. The town of Zhangzha reported the deaths and injuries
Due to a landslide followed by the earthquake, at least 100 tourists have been trapped. However, none of them have been reported to be dead or injured yet.
Along with this, a reception area in a hotel has also collapsed there in a few people are trapped. However at least 500 people have already been rescued from that building.
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Several images have also been circulated on Chinese social media forums which show rocks on the roads along with panicked people running out of cafes in Jiuzhaigou town.
As per the China Earthquake Networks Center, 20 minutes after the quake, a temblor measuring 3.3 in magnitude followed with a depth of 9 kilometers.
Image Credit: New China
