TWO EARTHQUAKES HIT CHINA, FOUR DEAD

State media has reported that at least four people have been killed after two earthquakes hit the southwestern part of China on Wednesday.

A 6.1-magnitude quake hit an area in the Sichuan province about 100 kilometres west of the provincial capital Chengdu, CCTV reported.

This quake sparked a landslide that caused major damage to cars. It also left rocks and soil strewn over a road.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Centre the first quake struck at a depth of 17 kilometres at about 17:00 local time. In contrast to that, the US Geological Survey reported that the quake registered a magnitude of 5.9 and was shallower at a depth of 10 kilometres.

Only three minutes later a second quake of magnitude 4.5 hit in a nearby area. At least four people have been reported dead and 14 others injured due to this second earthquake.

News24 reports that footage obtained by the broadcaster showed dozens of schoolchildren screaming and ducking under desks as their building started to shake, before dashing out of the classroom with arms over their heads.

More than 4 500 people including emergency rescue workers, firefighters and military police were dispatched to the area to assist with help.

Meanwhile, in Shanghai, the city’s strict COVID-19 lockdown finally ended on 1 June. The lockdown lasted two months and prompted expectations of firmer fuel demand from the country, reports News24.

Image credit: CNBC