July 22, 2013 -- Updated 1323 GMT (2123 HKT)
Rescue teams are scrambling to reach the site of Monday morning's strong
and shallow earthquake in northwest China that has killed at least 75
people, according to state media. FULL STORY
Quake hits northwest China; 89 dead
July 22, 2013 -- Updated 1409 GMT (2209 HKT)
Deadly quake strikes northwest China
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- NEW: China quake death toll rises to 89, state media reported
- The Red Cross Society of China is sending tents and supplies
- Hundreds reported injured across a number of counties
- Fears rescue efforts may be hampered by recent heavy rain, more forecast
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(CNN) -- Rescue teams are scrambling to reach the
site of Monday morning's strong and shallow earthquake in northwestern
China that has killed at least 89 people, according to state media.
Another 584 people were injured and 17 were believed missing after the quake tore through Gansu Province, state media reported.
The quake hit along the
border of two counties -- Min and Zhang -- at around 7:45 a.m. local
time, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Emergency services are
converging on the area, including the Red Cross Society of China, which
is sending 200 tents and other supplies to shelter and sustain those
left without homes.
According to state
broadcaster CCTV, Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged crews to
prioritize the rescue of survivors and minimize casualties.
The original quake and
powerful aftershocks caused roofs to collapse, cut telecommunications
lines and damaged a major highway linking the provincial capital of
Lanzhou to the south, according to the China Daily newspaper.
More than 300 armed
police troops and 64 heavy machines have been dispatched to repair
National Highway No. 212, the paper reported. Train services in the area
have also been suspended.
Rescue efforts are
expected to be hampered by heavy rain that's soaked the region in recent
weeks. More rain is forecast and experts have warned about potential
landslides.
According to the Gansu
Provincial Seismological Bureau, the quake registered a magnitude of
6.6, however the U.S. Geological Survey said it was a 5.9-magnitude
tremor, which struck at the relatively shallow depth of about half a
mile (1 kilometer).
The epicenter was eight
miles (13 kilometers) east of Chabu and 110 miles (177 kilometers)
south-southeast of Lanzhou, the USGS said.
Tremors were still being
felt from the quake, Xinhua said, quoting sources within the Min County
government. Locals said buildings and trees shook for about a minute.
Residents within the earthquake zone took to Weibo -- China's version of Twitter -- soon after to describe how the earth shook.
"This morning at 7:40 I
was brushing my teeth, all of a sudden everything shook for a few
moments, I thought I didn't get enough sleep last night and was feeling
dizzy," @wyyy wrote. "Turns out it was an earthquake, sigh, seems that
with the huge rain downpour outside, we really don't know how much
longer this planet is going to let us live here."
Another,
@dengdjianjyany, said: "Gansu earthquake. So many natural disasters in
so short a time, another flood, another landslide, another earthquake,
another something. And it's not finished, my God ~ is there any safe
place left? Wish everybody a life of peace"
@Heidiping: "Another earthquake, life really is fragile, survivors, be at peace!"
COPY
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