Strong Magnitude 7.2 Earthquake Strikes Remote Western China; Tremors Felt in Delhi-NCR

A powerful magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck a remote area of China’s western Xinjiang region, particularly Uchturpan county (Wushi county in Mandarin), triggering the collapse of at least two homes, downing power lines, and leading to the suspension of trains. The earthquake occurred shortly after 2 a.m. local time and was felt in various locations, including the capital, Delhi, in India’s National Capital Region (NCR).

The China Earthquake Networks Center reported the earthquake’s epicenter in the Tian Shan mountain range, a seismically active region where earthquakes of this magnitude occur infrequently. Emergency rescuers, numbering around 200, were dispatched to the affected area to assess the damage and provide assistance. Although two houses collapsed, there were no immediate reports of fatalities.

The Xinjiang railway authority took precautionary measures by suspending dozens of trains in the region and sealing off affected sections. Despite downed power lines, electricity was promptly restored to the region. The earthquake’s impact extended beyond China, with tremors felt in neighboring countries such as Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

Uchturpan county, primarily inhabited by Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim Turkic ethnicity, recorded temperatures well below zero, adding challenges to the emergency response efforts. The seismic activity comes amidst ongoing concerns about China’s policies targeting Uyghurs, including forced assimilation and mass detentions.

Residents in affected areas described the intensity of the quake, with buildings shaking, chandeliers swinging, and a media office building near the epicenter experiencing significant tremors. Videos shared on social media platforms depicted people evacuating buildings and standing outside in freezing temperatures.

This earthquake follows a similar event in China’s northwestern Gansu province in December, which claimed 151 lives, marking the deadliest earthquake in the country in nine years. Most earthquakes in China are concentrated in its western regions, including Xinjiang, Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, and Yunnan provinces, as well as Tibet.

As seismic activity continues, emergency response teams and authorities remain on high alert to address the aftermath and provide necessary support to affected communities.