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Rescue is underway after a shallow earthquake occurred not far from Chongqing in the early morning.
In the early morning, a shallow earthquake occurred in Sichuan Province in southwestern China, killing at least 3 people and injuring dozens of others, and triggered the second highest emergency response by rescuers.
The earthquake occurred just after 4:30 a.m. local time (20:30 GMT on Wednesday), about 120 kilometers (75 miles) southwest of Chongqing, a huge city with a population of about 30 million.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) set the initial magnitude of the earthquake to be 5.4, but the magnitude measured by the China Seismic Network Center was 6. Both stated that the earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles).
The official media “Global Times” reported that 3 people have been confirmed dead and 60 injured, of which 3 were seriously injured.
Authorities said dozens of houses in Lu County collapsed, many houses were damaged, and communications with tens of thousands of people were interrupted.
CCTV’s live broadcast in Lu County showed that workers climbed up ladders in the downpour to remove dangerous debris hanging from the building, including half-smashed glass panels.
Another video from the “Sichuan Daily” showed that students evacuated the dormitory in the dark, holding umbrellas and carrying backpacks.
The authorities downplayed the direct threat of greater aftershocks.
Du Bin, deputy director of the Sichuan Earthquake Administration, told reporters: “It is unlikely that a larger earthquake will occur in this area in the near future, but the aftershocks will continue for some time.”
The U.S. Geological Survey stated in its preliminary assessment that it “may cause major damage and the disaster may spread widely.”
The local government in Sichuan stated in a Weibo social media post that after the earthquake, multiple power lines were interrupted and 62,000 households were cut off.
The local government stated that traffic on highways passing through the area had been diverted to make way for emergency vehicles and avoid damaged roads.
Earthquakes occur frequently in China, especially in the western and southwestern mountainous areas.
In 2008, a 7.9-magnitude earthquake occurred in Sichuan Province, killing 87,000 people or missing them.
Thousands of children were among them, who lost their lives as a result of the collapse of a poorly constructed school building.
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