11 Dead, 122 Injured in 2 Strong Earthquakes That Struck Southwest China

Reuters
By Reuters
June 17, 2019China News
share
11 Dead, 122 Injured in 2 Strong Earthquakes That Struck Southwest China
Rescue workers prepare to search a collapsed building at the earthquake damaged town of Beichuan in Sichuan Province on May 17, 2008. (Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images)

BEIJING–Two strong earthquakes shook the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan on June 17, killing 11 people and injuring 122 according to state media.

The first magnitude 5.9 quake was followed around 30 minutes later by one registering 5.2, both at a depth of 6 miles (10 kilometers) and centered near Changning County, according to the United States Geological Survey.

Chinese state media said shaking was felt in major cities in the region, including in the Sichuan Provincial capital Chengdu and the metropolis of Chongqing.

The China Earthquake Administration said there were several aftershocks.

Pictures posted by state media on their social media accounts showed cracks in some buildings and people rushing into the streets in some cities in Sichuan.

State television said rescuers had reached the epicenter—a largely rural area—and had pulled some people out of the rubble alive already. At least one person so far has died, the report added, without giving details.

A huge quake in Sichuan in May 2008 killed almost 70,000 people.

By Ben Blanchard

ntd newsletter icon
Sign up for NTD Daily
What you need to know, summarized in one email.
Stay informed with accurate news you can trust.
By registering for the newsletter, you agree to the Privacy Policy.
Comments