One killed, four injured in 6.3-magnitude earthquake in China’s Qinghai

BEIJING: A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck China’s northwestern Qinghai province on Tuesday, leaving at least one person dead and four others injured, according to the China Earthquake Networks Centre and state media.

The quake hit Haixi prefecture, a high-altitude area of Qinghai, at 5:06pm local time at a depth of 10 kilometres. Rescue teams were sent to the affected area as emergency workers searched for possible trapped survivors. State broadcaster CCTV said 320 personnel had been deployed for the operation.

Chinese state media earlier reported that workers at coal mines near the epicentre had been evacuated, while authorities were continuing assessments of casualties and damage to property. The earthquake was followed by more than a dozen aftershocks, including one measuring 4.9 in magnitude.

Initial inspections found that transport links, communications, and water and electricity lines within 50 kilometres of the epicentre were functioning normally, Qinghai Daily reported late on Tuesday. Authorities also sent tents, beds and blankets to the affected areas, and arranged for companies and charities to supply food and water to residents.