A magnitude-6.1 earthquake shook Lushan County in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Thursday, triggering emergency response efforts and temporary relocations. The quake struck at 5:00 p.m. local time, followed by a magnitude-4.5 aftershock minutes later in nearby Baoxing County. As of 9:00 a.m. Thursday, authorities reported four fatalities and 41 injuries.
Local responders swiftly set up emergency shelters at Taiping Middle School, relocating displaced residents from the hardest-hit areas. First responders, including medical teams and disaster relief personnel, continue search operations amid ongoing aftershocks.
Exclusive footage shared by a CGTN stringer captured scenes of displaced families receiving aid at temporary shelters, showcasing coordinated efforts to distribute supplies and medical care. Sichuan Province, located in a seismically active zone, has activated its earthquake response protocols, drawing on lessons learned from previous disasters like the 2008 Wenchuan quake.
Global observers note the incident highlights both the challenges of natural disasters in mountainous regions and advancements in China's rapid response systems. The World Health Organization estimates over 250 million people worldwide are affected by earthquakes annually, emphasizing the universal need for resilient infrastructure.
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M6.1 earthquake hits SW China, temporary shelters set up for residents
cgtn.com
