Did a 5.6-Magnitude Earthquake Just Hit Gansu, China?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 5.6-magnitude earthquake hit Gansu Province.
- Epicentre located in Longxi County, Dingxi City.
- No casualties reported, but some damage to homes.
- Rescue teams are actively responding to the situation.
- Geological causes linked to tectonic plate movement.
Lanzhou, Sep 27 (NationPress) A 5.6-magnitude earthquake occurred in Longxi County, located in Dingxi City, within the northwest region of Gansu Province, at 5:49 a.m. on Saturday, as reported by the China Earthquake Networks Centre (CENC).
The earthquake's epicentre was determined at 34.91 degrees north latitude and 104.58 degrees east longitude, striking at a depth of 10 km, according to CENC.
The tremor was notably felt across Longxi County, as well as in Zhangxian County, Weiyuan County, Lintao County in Dingxi City, and Wushan County in Tianshui City.
Fortunately, no casualties have been reported by local authorities. Residents mentioned that several homes in rural Longxi experienced damage.
In response, local fire-fighting and rescue teams have been dispatched to the affected locations to assess the situation and gather pertinent information.
Following the seismic event, the China Earthquake Administration initiated a level-III emergency response, emphasizing the need for heightened monitoring and situation assessments, alongside timely updates.
The State Council earthquake relief headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management also triggered a level-IV emergency response for earthquakes, sending a team to assist in local relief efforts, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Rescue teams from China's national fire and rescue services have arrived at the epicentre, with 200 rescuers and 28 vehicles from local fire units, alongside 26 specialized rescue team members with 7 vehicles on route to the area.
Earlier this year, in June, a 5.0-magnitude earthquake was recorded in Eryuan County, situated in the Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Dali, in Yunnan Province.
The epicentre of that quake was identified at 26.26 degrees north latitude and 100.03 degrees east longitude, also at a depth of 10 km, according to a report from the CENC.
This quake was significantly felt in Eryuan County, Dali City, and Heqing County, waking several residents.
China frequently experiences earthquakes due to the continuous collision of the Indian tectonic plate with the Eurasian tectonic plate. This ongoing geological interaction, which has been occurring for approximately 50 to 60 million years and contributed to the formation of the Himalayas, generates immense stress within the Earth's crust.