An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.6 struck Gansu province in northwestern China at 5:49 a.m. on the 27th (local time), causing casualties and a series of building collapses.
According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the quake occurred in Longxi county, Dingxi city, Gansu province. The focal depth was analyzed at 10 kilometers. The epicenter was about 148 kilometers from Tianshui city. Reuters reported that the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), by contrast, put the depth at 35 kilometers.
Local outlets, including the official Xinhua News Agency, said at least seven people were injured in Longxi county and the Tianshui area, eight dwellings were completely destroyed, and more than 110 were partially damaged. The tremor was also felt in Lanzhou and Tianshui.
By 7:49 a.m. the same day, a total of 42 aftershocks had followed, including three of magnitude 3.0 or greater, heightening concerns about damage.
Immediately after the quake, Gansu's fire authorities launched an emergency response, deploying 280 personnel, 42 fire engines, and more than 2,000 pieces of equipment and rushing an advance team to the epicenter, local media said.