MAGNITUDE 6.2 QUAKE IN CHINA LEAVES MORE THAN 100 DEAD, 700 WOUNDED

A  MAGNITUDE 6.2 earthquake struck northwestern China around midnight Monday leaving more than 100 dead and 700 wounded.

A Chinese state-run media reported that 126 people died in Gansu and neighboring Qinghai provinces.

President Xi Jinping has directed an all-out search and rescue efforts amid freezing weather.

The powerful quake occurred at 11:59 p.m. Monday, with a depth of 10 kilometers, in Gansu’s Jishishan county some 100 km southwest of the provincial capital Lanzhou.

More than 7,000 houses in the area were destroyed by the tremor, local reports said Tuesday.

Many houses have collapsed and infrastructure related to water, electricity and roads have been damaged, with several villages suffering power failures and disruptions of water supply and telecommunication services, a state media said.

Several thousand rescue workers, including military personnel, have been sent to the disaster-hit areas, with blankets and cold weather gear delivered as the temperature in Jishishan, located some 2,000 meters above sea level, could fall below minus 10 C at night, according to reports.

A Kyodo News reporter witnessed in Jishishan some people affected by the quake lining up for meals offered by volunteers and taking shelter in makeshift tents.

Roads were cracked and debris was scattered near collapsed houses.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen offered condolences to those who have lost loved ones in the quake.

“We hope for a swift recovery. Taiwan stands ready to offer assistance in the disaster response effort,” Ing-wen said.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sent a message to President Xi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang sending condolences to the victims’ families.

According to Japan’s Foreign Ministry, Tokyo is ready to provide necessary support.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also expressed his condolences to the quake-hit families.

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who is currently visiting Beijing, told Li on Tuesday that Moscow is ready to assist China in dealing with the quake’s aftermath.