By Micheal Chukwuebuka, Reporting
NOT more than 118 people were killed and over 500 others were injured in an overnight earthquake that struck a cold and mountainous region in northwestern China on Monday.
As of today Tuesday Dec. 19, 2023, search and rescue operations were underway in Gansu and neighbouring Qinghai provinces.
According to our source, ABC News, the earthquake severely damaged houses and roads, and also knocked out power and communication lines.
A spokesperson for the province emergency management department, Han Shujun, at a news conference, said by midmorning, 105 people had been confirmed dead in Gansu and another 397 injured, including 16 in critical condition.
According to state media, thirteen others were killed and 182 injured in Qinghai in an area north of the epicenter.
Another report has it that 20 persons were missing in Qinghai after being buried in a landslide.
At least 4,000 soldiers, police officers and firefighters were dispatched in the rescue effort.
The Gansu spokesperson, Han Shujun said the rescue work was proceeding in an orderly manner and asked people to avoid going to the affected areas to prevent traffic jams that could hinder the effort.
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