Rewritten Article:
Dramatic Scene in Northwest China as Earthquake Claims Lives
Reports pour in from Xinhua, China's state news agency, about a 6.2-magnitude earthquake that wreaked havoc in the country's northwest. The quake left a trail of destruction, leveling houses, and sending people rushing into the streets for safety. In the chaotic aftermath, power and water supplies in several villages were disrupted.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) initially stated the magnitude as 6.0, later revising it to 5.9. The epicenter was approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Gansu's provincial capital, Lanzhou.
A woman shared her terrifying ordeal on a video posted on the "People's Daily" newspaper's social media account. Shaken to her core, she confessed, "I was scared to death." The aftermath saw tons of dirt from a nearby mountain slide onto her home's roof just moments after she'd escaped.
In response, over 1,400 rescue workers rushed to the affected area, accompanied by an additional 1,600 on standby. Resources included drinking water, blankets, stoves, and instant noodles, all transported to the earthquake-hit region.
Chinese President Xi Jinping penned a strong message, urging all efforts to save the stricken. Concerned about the freezing temperatures prevalent in the region's high altitudes, he issued a warning.
Earthquakes plague China frequently, resulting in devastating consequences. In 2008, a 7.9-magnitude earthquake in Sichuan province claimed the lives of over 87,000 people. In September 2022, almost 100 people perished in Sichuan due to another earthquake.
Enrichment Insights: - The tragedy prompted the deployment of teams from the China National Earthquake Networks Center to assess damage and provide expertise for relief efforts. - More than 130 people have been reported dead, with over 1,000 injured and 16 still missing due to the earthquake. - The use of drones in disaster response has become increasingly common in China, with these aerial vehicles playing a crucial role in search and rescue efforts, delivering supplies, and providing light during nighttime operations.
