The death toll from China most powerful earthquake in recent years has reached 149, with two individuals still missing after the tremor struck northwestern parts of the country last week. The 6.2-magnitude quake, which occurred in a remote mountainous area between Gansu and Qinghai provinces on December 18, resulted in the destruction of homes, triggering mudslides that engulfed two villages in Qinghai province.
As of Monday, state broadcaster CCTV reported that the death toll in Donghai city in Qinghai has increased to 32, with rescuers still searching for two missing people. In neighboring Gansu, authorities had reported 117 dead, while nearly 1,000 individuals were injured, and over 14,000 homes were destroyed, marking China’s deadliest earthquake in nine years.
Primary schools in Jishishan county in Gansu resumed classes in tents, with local authorities planning to use the upcoming winter break to repair damaged schools and set up temporary structures for the spring semester. Efforts were also underway to erect temporary housing units for survivors facing freezing temperatures, with the first batch of 500 units built in Meipo village, Gansu, on Friday night. Over 87,000 people have been resettled following the earthquake. China most powerful earthquake
The economic impact of the quake has been significant, with losses estimated to be worth tens of millions of dollars in the agricultural and fisheries industries. Premier Li Qiang visited affected villages in Gansu and Qinghai, urging authorities to improve living conditions for survivors and prioritizing efforts to ensure people stay warm and safe during winter.
Funerals, some following Muslim traditions prevalent in the affected area, were held throughout the week. Most earthquakes in China occur in the western part of the country, including Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan provinces, as well as the Xinjiang region and Tibet. The deadliest earthquake in recent years was a 7.9-magnitude tremor in 2008 that claimed nearly 90,000 lives in Sichuan province, prompting a prolonged reconstruction effort with more resilient materials.