20,000 Evacusted After Earthquake Hits China

Chinese authorities evacuated more than 20,000 residents on Monday after a 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck Diebu County in the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu province in northwest China, officials said.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the quake occurred at 2:56 pm local time at a depth of 10 kilometres. The tremor was strongly felt near the epicentre, prompting precautionary evacuations in areas considered at risk.

Initial inspections found no reports of fatalities or serious injuries, although cracks were detected in several buildings. Authorities said the overall damage remained limited, while comprehensive assessments of affected areas were still under way.

Power, water supplies and telecommunications networks were not disrupted by the earthquake, easing concerns over critical infrastructure damage in the region.

Emergency response teams were deployed shortly after the quake, and authorities began delivering relief supplies to meet the needs of displaced residents. Temporary shelters and support services have been arranged as part of ongoing safety measures.

China frequently experiences seismic activity, particularly in its western and southwestern regions, where mountainous terrain and active fault lines increase earthquake risks. Authorities have emphasised continued monitoring and readiness to respond should further aftershocks occur.