A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck in China’s Gasu province just before midnight on Monday, killing 118 people, according to reports at Reuters.
Officials in the region have said that 580 have been injured in the quake that struct a region near the edge of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau.
The mountainous region is considered to be a highly seismic area accustomed to earthquakes, but the situation has become critical due to damage to infrastructure and freezing temperatures, as much of China has been overtaken by a cold front.
Taiwan’s President has temporarily allayed political differences with China to offer assistance in the quake’s aftermath.
China’s deadliest earthquake in recent time was an 8.0 magnitude which occurred in 2008 in Sichuan, leading to the death of 70,000 persons.
