At least 46 people were killed, several roads were blocked and multiple homes were severely damaged after a 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck southwestern China on Monday.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the event was recorded at 12:52 local time in the mountainous region of Sichuan. Its epicenter was located 39 km from Luding canton, Chinese public television reported in a not very densely populated area.
The tremor was felt in several cities in the province about 200 km from the epicenter, including the regional capital Chengdu, which has 21 million inhabitants, currently confined due to an outbreak of COVID-19.
The latest death toll was at least 46 dead, according to national television, which also indicated 16 missing and 50 injured.
As the figures could be increasing, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged to do everything possible to help people affected by the catastrophe and minimize human losses.
Many houses were badly damaged and telephone lines were interrupted in some places, according to the Garze prefecture. Ya’an city mentioned damage at different levels in the affected areas. More than a thousand soldiers and army officers were mobilized.
According to Chinese TV, local authorities also sent thousands of rescuers, firefighters, doctors or members of the People’s Armed Police, in charge of public security and those mobilized during catastrophes.
As Chengdu is currently under lockdown, “people are not allowed to leave their residential compounds,” the report added.
