Southwest China Hit by Earthquakes Again

SICHUAN, CHINA—Earthquakes hit the border between Sichuan and Shanxi provinces on Thursday July 24, killing one and injuring 17. Approximately 1,200 houses collapsed.

According to Xinhua News Agency, China Earthquake Networks Center measured three 4.9- to 6.0-magnitude aftershocks throughout the day, and several other aftershocks under 4.0. Several cities in Sichuan province felt tremors, with Guangyuan city in Sichuan hit the hardest.

The aftershocks affected 89 families and collapsed 360 houses in Yaodu, Sichuan, and damaged approximately 1,500 houses. The regions affected include towns and cities within 200 miles of the quake site. The earthquake also caused disruption of traffic on Yaoqing Highway and caused landslides, according to Bo Li, the Vice Commissioner of Qingchuan Municipal Bureau of Radio & Television.

At 3:54 a.m. Beijing Standard Time, a 5.6 aftershock hit between two towns on the border of Sichuan and Shanxi Provinces.

In Guangyuan city, Sichuan, many residents ran from their homes to the open streets or hid in tents. Some returned home after the aftershock; most people spent the night in tents or on the street, according to Xinhua News Agency.

As of 5 p.m., the 5.6 aftershock has caused one death and 17 injuries including six serious injuries from Guangyuan city.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center’s measurements, at 1:30 p.m., a 4.9 aftershock hit the same area. Xi’an city, Baoji city, and Hanzhong city in Shanxi province felt tremors.

The third, a 6.0 aftershock, hit at 3:09 p.m.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the tremors originated from six miles under the ground. A reporter on site felt constant shakes for over 20 seconds on the 13th floor of a building at Chengdu city, 166 miles from the quake site.