A powerful magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck Luding County in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Monday, causing widespread damage and loss of life. As of Tuesday, local authorities report at least 66 people have been killed.
The quake occurred at 12:52 p.m. Beijing Time, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center. The epicenter was located in a mountainous area of Luding County, making rescue efforts challenging due to difficult terrain and aftershocks.
Sichuan Province has activated the highest level of emergency response. Hundreds of rescue workers, including firefighters, soldiers, and medical teams, have been dispatched to the affected areas. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate survivors and provide aid to those injured.
Drone footage captured by CGTN stringers reveals the extent of the devastation, showing collapsed buildings and landslides blocking roads. The full scale of the damage is still being assessed as rescue operations continue.
Sichuan, a region prone to earthquakes, was the site of a devastating magnitude-7.9 earthquake in 2008 that killed nearly 70,000 people. The latest quake has reignited concerns over seismic safety and disaster preparedness in the area.
Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant for aftershocks and to follow instructions from emergency services. Temporary shelters have been set up to assist those displaced by the disaster.
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Aerial view of the epicenter of the quake in China's Sichuan Province
cgtn.com
