On Tuesday, a formidable 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck the border between China and Kyrgyzstan, posing a significant threat of causing extensive damage, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Reports from TV channels in New Delhi, India, indicated that citizens experienced strong tremors, even though the epicenter was located 1,400 kilometers away. The earthquake occurred at 2:00 am local time in China’s Xinjiang region, hitting 140 kilometers west of Aksu at a depth of 27 kilometers.
Following the initial quake, three more earthquakes were registered in the vicinity, measuring magnitudes 5.5, 5.1, and 5.0.
While the USGS mentioned the possibility of casualties, no immediate reports emerged from the mountainous rural area affected by the earthquake. The USGS report emphasized the likelihood of significant damage, characterizing the potential disaster as widespread.
This seismic event came just a day after a landslide in southwestern China buried dozens of people, resulting in at least eight fatalities. In December, another earthquake in the northwest claimed 148 lives and displaced thousands in Gansu province, marking China’s deadliest quake since 2014 when over 600 people perished in southwestern Yunnan province.
The December earthquake presented additional challenges, as subzero temperatures complicated the aid operation, forcing survivors to gather around outdoor fires for warmth.
