The provisional death toll from the fifth earthquake in Sichuan, southwest of the People’s Republic of China, has risen to 93, officials said, adding that searches are continuing to locate survivors.
The earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 on the Richter scaleregistered in Sichuan province by the Chinese authorities, caused significant damage in some areas of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
The previous official provisional balance, from last Thursday, indicated 82 dead and 270 wounded.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, at least 25 people are reported missingand rescue operations are hampered by heavy rains in the region, which can trigger landslides.
A large proportion of the residents of the affected areas are being transferred to temporary shelters.
The earthquake also hit Chengdu, the provincial capital, where residents are confined due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The restrictions in Chengdu force the estimated 21 million residents to stay where they live.
Sichuan province, which borders the Tibetan Plateau where tectonic plates meet, is regularly hit by earthquakes. Two earthquakes recorded last June caused at least four dead.
The Chinese government has already announced 50 million yuan (€7.29 million) to support salvage and salvage operations.
The quake follows a heat wave and drought that caused water shortages and power outages due to Sichuan’s reliance on hydropower.
China’s deadliest earthquake in recent years magnitude 7.9occurred in 2008, and killed nearly 90,000 peoplein Sichuan.
The earthquake then devastated towns, schools and rural communities outside of Chengdu, prompting a rebuilding effort with stronger materials.
Source: Observadora
