Magnitude 6.0 earthquake strikes Akqi county in Xinjiang

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Akqi county in Kizilsu Kirgiz autonomous prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, at 3:44 pm on Thursday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

The epicenter was located at a depth of 10 kilometers, with coordinates at 41.13 degrees north latitude and 78.40 degrees east longitude, which is around 813 km from Urumqi, Xinjiang's regional capital. The average elevation within a 5-kilometer radius of the epicenter is around 2,557 meters.

Local authorities said the earthquake happened in a sparsely populated area. Transportation, power supply, communications, and daily life remain normal, with no casualties or building collapses reported.

Following the earthquake, Xinjiang's regional authorities demanded all-out efforts in relief and emergency response, prompt assessment of damage and to ensure the safety of people's lives and property.

Rescue personnel have arrived in the township near the epicenter to conduct comprehensive assessments and prevent secondary disasters.

A 12-member team with four vehicles from the Akqi county brigade of the prefecture's fire and rescue branch has been dispatched to the epicenter for on-site investigation. Additionally, 15 vehicles, 60 personnel, and two search dogs from the prefecture branch are on standby, together with 173 vehicles, 770 personnel, and 30 search dogs mobilized by Xinjiang's fire and rescue corps.

Local police have activated their emergency response protocol, focusing on rescue operations, traffic control, and maintaining public order. While addressing residents' needs and providing guidance on disaster prevention and self-protection, they are also inspecting key road sections, bridges, and culverts for potential hazards to ensure road safety and smooth traffic flow.

Xinjiang's railway authorities said some routes in southern Xinjiang have been closed, with ticket refunds, changes and rebookings for passengers being organized. They are also conducting safety inspections of facilities in seismically affected sections.

Another 3.2-magnitude earthquake occurred in Akqi at 5:05 pm, with the epicenter located at 41.16 degrees north latitude and 78.40 degrees east longitude at a depth of 12 kilometers. The average elevation within a 5-kilometer radius of the epicenter is around 3,167 meters.

The China Earthquake Networks Center reported that over the past five years, 402 earthquakes with a magnitude of 3.0 or higher have occurred within a 200-kilometer radius of the epicenter. The most severe of these was a 7.1-magnitude earthquake in Wushi county, Aksu prefecture, on Jan 23, 2024, which was some 20 km from the current epicenters.