The China Earthquake Administration reported a 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck Gansu province in northwestern China on Saturday, killing at least one person and injuring four others, according to state media.
The quake, which occurred at 3:15 PM local time, was felt across multiple counties in Gansu, according to the administration. Local officials said the death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams assess affected areas. The China Meteorological Bureau noted the tremor originated 10 kilometers beneath the surface near the border with Qinghai province.
Residents in the mountainous region described buildings shaking for over 30 seconds, with some structures sustaining cracks. The Gansu Provincial Hospital reported admitting four injured individuals, including a 62-year-old man with fractures and a child with head trauma. Emergency response units deployed to the epicenter, with additional teams mobilized from nearby cities.
A spokesperson for the Gansu Emergency Management Bureau stated, “We are coordinating with provincial and national agencies to ensure affected communities receive shelter and medical care.” The bureau also confirmed power outages in three villages, though restoration efforts began by late afternoon.
The region is prone to seismic activity due to its location along the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. A 2013 earthquake in the same area killed 20 people, according to historical records. No immediate reports of landslides or infrastructure collapse have emerged, though officials cautioned about potential aftershocks.
The Chinese government has activated its disaster response protocol, with the Ministry of Emergency Management monitoring conditions. A second assessment is scheduled for Monday to evaluate long-term damage. No international aid requests have been issued publicly.
