Qinghai and Gansu: Update on Death Toll, Injuries, and Missing Persons

BEIJING, DEC-21: In the aftermath of a 6.2-magnitude earthquake in northwestern Gansu province, China, 135 people have lost their lives, 980 are injured, and 12 remain missing.

The disaster, occurring in a remote and mountainous region near the Gansu-Qinghai border, prompted swift rescue efforts. Notably, rescue operations in Gansu concluded within 15 hours, leading to questions from netizens about the speed of the response.

Qinghai reported 22 casualties, 198 injuries, and 12 missing persons. Gansu, with 113 dead and 782 injured, did not report any missing individuals.

The destruction includes over 207,000 homes damaged and nearly 15,000 collapsed in Gansu alone. Online discussions raised concerns about the impact of sub-zero temperatures on the “golden period” for rescue, citing the risk of rapid hypothermia for those trapped. With outdoor temperatures below -10°C, some argue that even a 24-hour delay could have been fatal for survivors.