Beijing, July 8: A 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck Gaoxian County in southwest China’s Sichuan Province early Wednesday, triggering panic among residents and prompting authorities to launch emergency response operations.
The earthquake hit at 6:12 a.m. (Beijing time) with its epicentre at a depth of 8 kilometres, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center. Several aftershocks were recorded soon after the quake, and officials continued to monitor the affected area.
Chinese authorities activated a Level-III emergency response and dispatched rescue teams to assess the damage and assist local officials. Initial reports said two people suffered minor injuries, while there were no immediate reports of major damage or fatalities.