A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Luding County in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Monday, claiming at least 66 lives and triggering urgent rescue efforts. The quake, which hit at 12:52 p.m. Beijing Time, prompted authorities to activate the highest-level emergency response.
Drone footage from the epicenter, captured by CGTN stringers, reveals collapsed buildings and landslides complicating recovery efforts. Over 500 rescue workers have been deployed, with emergency teams prioritizing road clearance and medical aid distribution in remote mountainous areas.
Sichuan—home to 83 million residents—has faced over 20 earthquakes above magnitude-5 since 2008. This latest disaster underscores the region's vulnerability to seismic activity along the Longmenshan Fault Line.
Local universities and stadiums have been converted into temporary shelters, while tech companies like DJI are providing drone mapping support to assess damage. Authorities confirm communication networks remain unstable in hardest-hit zones.
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Aerial view of the epicenter of the quake in China's Sichuan Province
cgtn.com
