China - Earthquake (GDACS, USGS, media) (ECHO Daily Flash of 19 December 2023)

An earthquake of 5.9 M at a depth of 10 km occurred in Gansu Province on 18 December at 15.59 UTC (23.59 local time). The epicentre was located approximately 37 km west-northwest of Linxia Chengguanzhen and 100 km south-west of Lanzhou City, the capital and the largest city of Gansu Province).

At least four aftershocks of magnitude between 4.2 M and 4.6 M have been recorded in the area. USGS PAGER estimates that up to 117,000 people were exposed to very strong shaking and up to 158,000 to strong shaking.

According to media, at least 118 people died and more than 500 others were injured. Moreover, 20 people are still missing following a landslide triggered by the seismic event.

National authorities are on the field in the rescue and emergency operations. At least 4,000 firefighters, soldiers, and police officers were dispatched in the rescue efforts.

For the next 24 hours, very low temperatures are forecast over the affected area.