The local governments of Gansu and Qinghai provinces, struck by a powerful earthquake, have committed to immediate actions to ensure affected residents have shelter amid sub-freezing temperatures and receive essential life necessities. Specialized and timely medical treatment is being organized for those injured during the disaster.
Gansu’s emergency management bureau announced on Thursday that the province’s earthquake relief efforts have achieved a phased victory, with the search for missing individuals essentially concluded. The focus has shifted to saving the injured, resettling victims, and clearing debris from affected areas.
The death toll from the earthquake in Northwest China on Monday night has reached 137 as of Thursday, with 115 in Gansu and 22 in Qinghai.
Officials in Qinghai have prioritized the resettlement of earthquake victims, with special attention to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and women. Local hospitals have received 784 injured individuals, with health authorities providing psychological counseling for those affected by the disaster.
Bai Yuping, an official from Gansu’s health authority, stated that minor injuries were treated at nearby hospitals, while those in severe condition were transported to provincial and key hospitals. Mobile medical teams have been dispatched to the hardest-hit villages, capable of accommodating 500 people daily.
Under the guidance of China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Gansu provincial authorities have established an earthquake relief command headquarters and initiated a Level II emergency earthquake response. Over 500 specialists and technicians are assessing damage, conducting emergency assessments of building structures, and carrying out urgent repairs.
As of Thursday, water and gas supply in Jishishan county, the earthquake epicenter, had resumed. Some schools in affected areas have resumed in-person or online classes. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers have set up a “tent school” near Jishishan, where students are educated about national defense and safety during disasters.
Despite progress, the sub-freezing temperatures pose a significant challenge. Weather authorities predict temperatures between -10°C and 14°C until January 2, 2024. Rescue workers are working in shifts to endure the freezing conditions.
Government employees, PLA soldiers, and volunteers are working against time and cold to set up tents equipped with stoves for warmth. Urgent needs include food, tents, clothes, and large rescue equipment. Relief goods from across the country are pouring into the disaster area, with central government departments allocating 135,500 disaster relief supplies as of Wednesday night. However, some villages still lack supplies, emphasizing the ongoing urgency of the situation.
As of Wednesday morning, Gansu province reported a total of 423 aftershocks.