China Earthquake Rocks The Xinjiang Region

A China earthquake rocked the Xinjiang region on Wednesday. According to the US Geological Survey, the magnitude-6.8 quake was centered in an area known as Yutian. The China Earthquake Networks Centre noted that the initial quake was followed by more than 100 aftershocks.

Yutian Civil Affairs Bureau Director Zhang Chong said officials are currently scouring the region for casualties and damage. Fire brigade Chief Wang Gang said he assembled a crew of firefighters and police officers to respond to the remote location.

Certain areas within Yutian county are sparsely populated, as they are located in the mountains. The quake’s epicenter was located more than 16,000 feet above sea level. Although the county encompasses more than 15,000 square miles, a majority of the 220,000 residents reside in densely populated cities.

Although few people reside near the epicenter, officials said there is a “small farming belt” that runs along the mountains. The extent of the damage may not be known for some time, as the quake’s center was at least 30 miles away from the closest city.

Officials have not received any reports of physical injury or extensive damage. Witnesses in several villages confirmed that “there have been no injuries or deaths… only some homes were cracked.”

Residents in Hotan, which is 155 miles from the epicenter, said they felt the initial quake and several aftershocks. However, they did not report any significant damage.

Reuters reports a similar quake in March 2008 caused minimal damage. Although Wednesday’s quake was powerful, officials do not expect any casualties.

Officials and residents are thankful the China earthquake occurred in a remote location. Historically, the country has experienced several devastating quakes. Most recently, a magnitude-7.9 earthquake caused widespread death in destruction in 2008.

The quake, which hit the Sichuan Province, was responsible for the deaths of more than 69,000 people. The New York Times reports at least 18,000 residents remain missing. The sheer number of casualties prompted officials to review their emergency response system.

Following Wednesday’s quake, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang ordered immediate evacuation and emergency response. Although they do not suspect anyone was killed, rescue teams will scour the region for casualties.

Authorities are cautiously optimistic. They believe the earthquake’s location spared thousands of lives. However, they will not confirm that nobody was injured until their search is complete.

The China earthquake was quite strong. Thankfully, it was miles away from several densely populated cities. Another major quake is frightening for residents, as they are still recovering from the devastation in March 2008.

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