A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 struck northwestern China, leaving 127 people dead and more than 700 injured, the deadliest quake in China in nine years, Associated Press reports.
The quake caused widespread destruction in the Gansu and Qinghai provinces, home to Muslim ethnic groups and near Tibetan communities. The shallow depth of the earthquake and the poor quality of buildings in the region contributed to the significant damage and casualties.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an all-out search and rescue effort. Emergency workers are searching for missing individuals, while people affected by the earthquake are forced to spend the cold night outdoors in tents.
