Houses collapse after earthquake hits rural area of Gansu

An earthquake with a 5.6 magnitude and a focal depth of 10 kilometers hit Longxi county, Dingxi in Gansu province on Saturday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

The epicenter of the earthquake was located near Xianrenwen village in Longxi, approximately 80 kilometers from the urban area of Dingxi city, at an average altitude of 2,056 meters. Strong tremors were felt in some townships in Longxi, Tongwei and Zhangxian counties.

Many houses have collapsed in the quake-hit area, while one person was reported injured on Saturday morning.

Government departments quickly activated the level 3 emergency response mechanism and are conducting a comprehensive assessment of the disaster situation in the epicenter and surrounding areas.