Powerful 7.1 Earthquake Hits Western China
A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the western Xinjiang region of China early Tuesday, causing significant damage and injuries. The quake, centered in Uchturpan county, resulted in six people being injured, with two sustaining serious injuries. The tremor led to the collapse of 47 houses and damage to an additional 78, as well as the destruction of some agricultural structures.
The earthquake, which occurred around 2 a.m., triggered a swift response, with about 200 rescuers being dispatched to the epicenter in the mountainous area of Uchturpan. This county, also known as Wushi, had a population of approximately 233,000 people in 2022.
The tremors disrupted power lines, although electricity was restored quickly. Rail services in the region were suspended for safety checks but resumed after no issues were found on the train lines. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the earthquake at a magnitude of 7.0 and noted its occurrence in the seismically active Tian Shan mountain range.
Following the initial quake, multiple aftershocks were recorded, with the strongest measuring 5.3 in magnitude. The affected area is predominantly inhabited by Uyghurs, a Turkic Muslim ethnicity. The region is heavily militarized, and state media showed paramilitary troops assisting in the aftermath, setting up tents for those displaced by the quake.
Current weather conditions in Uchturpan county are harsh, with temperatures forecasted to drop to negative 18 degrees Celsius (just below zero Fahrenheit) this week. The seismic event was felt over a vast area, with reports of its impact hundreds of kilometers away and even in neighboring countries like Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
In Kazakhstan's capital, Almaty, residents evacuated buildings and stood outside in freezing temperatures, some in shock and inadequately dressed. The tremors were felt across the entire Xinjiang region and disrupted normal life, leading to the suspension of classes to allow children to recover from the shock.
The western part of China, including regions like Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Tibet, is prone to earthquakes. The most recent significant quake in Gansu in December caused 151 fatalities, marking it as China's deadliest earthquake in nearly a decade. The 2008 Sichuan earthquake, one of the most devastating in recent history, claimed nearly 90,000 lives and led to extensive rebuilding efforts focused on quake-resistant construction.