AN earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale hit Menyuan county of Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China’s Qinghai province at 1:13 a.m. on Thursday.
As of now, no causalities have been reported, but, 40 buildings were destroyed.
The epicenter was at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). An aftershock, measuring 3.4 on the Richter scale, was reported minutes after the initial quake.
Tremors have also been felt in Xining, the capital city of Qinghai Province, and in the neighboring Gansu Province. Witnesses said that many scared local residents had run outdoors despite a freezing temperature of minus 20 degrees Celsius while some stayed in cars for warmth.
Armed police and rescue teams in the county had already been mobilized to search for missing and injured residents. So far, telecom services in the region have remained in operation.
The Seismological Bureau of Qinghai Province had initiated the Second Level Earthquake Emergency Response and sent technicians and experts to Menyuan. The bureau held the first press conference two hours after the earthquake.
“It is probably major aftershocks with the possible magnitude of 5. Even if a 5-magnitude earthquake happened, the life of resident in Xining (Qinghai’s provincial capital) will not be affected. The masses can live their life with no worries,” said Song Quan, spokesperson for Qinghai Province’s Seismological Bureau.
Song added that any online analysis or judgments of this earthquake should be considered as rumors if they are not released by the government; therefore, local residents should not believe in them.
As of 5:00 a.m., most residents have returned home. (courtesy CCTV/Reuters)
