Firefighters conduct door-to-door inspections in the quake-affected area. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
China activated a national Level-IV earthquake disaster emergency response and dispatched work teams to guide relief efforts after a 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck Diebu county in Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Gansu province, according to the office of the State Council earthquake relief headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management.
The China Earthquake Networks Center said the quake occurred at 14:56 on Jan 26, with the epicenter at 34.06 degrees north latitude and 103.25 degrees east longitude, with a depth of 10 kilometers.
Wang Xiangxi, China's minister of emergency management and deputy commander of the State Council earthquake relief headquarters, ordered rapid verification of the situation and assessment of potential damage, calling for thorough inspections and preparedness for rescue operations.
Workers from the State Grid Gansu Electric Power Co carry out special inspections of facilities and equipment. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Gansu's fire and rescue authorities launched an immediate response. Sixty personnel and 11 vehicles from the Gannan detachment were sent to the scene. Four earthquake search and rescue teams, from Lanzhou, Linxia, Longnan, and Dingxi, totaling 340 firefighters, 62 fire engines, seven search dogs, and more than 5,200 sets of equipment, are on standby for reinforcement.
The Gannan prefectural public security bureau activated its emergency plan, coordinating rescue support, evacuations and disaster assessment. Police in Diebu strengthened patrols in key areas and along major roads to remove hazards and maintain order, while traffic police assisted residents in moving to safe areas, according to local authorities.
Power and transport systems remained stable. The State Grid Gansu Electric Power Co organized inspections of substations and transmission lines, with the regional grid operating normally. Transportation authorities launched highway and bridge checks; aside from minor rockfalls on a section of National Highway 345, major roads remained passable, with green channels opened for emergency transport.
As per the latest reports, no casualties have been reported, and disaster assessments are continuing.
The Gannan Highway Development Center conducts comprehensive inspections of roads under its maintenance. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Police go house to house to check residents' homes and promptly assess damage. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
