A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck the Kyrgyzstan-Xinjiang border region on Tuesday (January 23), injuring six people and damaging or collapsing more than 120 homes in freezing cold weather, as reported by Chinese state media.
The epicenter of the earthquake occurred at 2:09 a.m. (1809 GMT) with a depth of 22 km (13 miles) in the mountainous border area of Wushi County in northwest China’s Xinjiang region, according to the China Earthquake Administration. The Xinjiang Earthquake Agency reported that the epicenter is approximately 50 km (31 miles) from Wushi, with five villages located within a 20-km (12 miles) radius around the epicenter.
40 aftershocks triggered
As of 8 a.m. (0000 GMT), 40 aftershocks have been recorded, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center. Netizens on China’s Weibo social media platform reported strong tremors in cities including Urumqi, Korla, Kashgar, Yining, and surrounding areas.
The Xinjiang railway department took immediate action by halting operations, affecting 27 trains, as reported by Xinhua News. China’s Earthquake Administration activated emergency response services in collaboration with the Office of the Earthquake Relief Headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management. They dispatched a group to guide local rescue efforts.
China’s Ministry of Emergency Management coordinated relief efforts across various departments, providing essential supplies such as cotton tents, coats, quilts, mattresses, folding beds, and heating stoves, according to Xinhua.
Several sizable earthquakes recorded in Xinjiang
Over the past 24 hours, Xinjiang has experienced several sizable earthquakes. In nearby Kazakhstan, the emergencies ministry reported a recent earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7. In the largest city, Almaty, residents fled their homes and gathered outside despite cold weather, some clad in pajamas and slippers. Fortunately, no damage has been reported.
The tremors, followed by aftershocks about 30 minutes later, were also felt in Uzbekistan, raising concerns about the seismic activity’s broader regional impact. Authorities in the affected areas continue to assess the situation and respond to the immediate needs of the affected population.