On December 18, 2023, at 11:59 PM, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck Jishishan County in Linxia Prefecture. The earthquake resulted in 117 fatalities and 784 injuries. As of January 11, 766 people have been discharged from the hospital, while 18 are still being treated. There is a significant problem with injuries from collapsing buildings in the area. Within 50 minutes of the earthquake, 32 aftershocks were recorded, with the largest measuring 4.0 in magnitude. Additionally, the prevalence of civil and brick structures, which have poor support and are prone to collapse, has exacerbated the issue of injuries. The low temperatures have made rescue efforts more urgent, with temperatures in Jishishan County dropping to around -10°C on the night of the earthquake. The severe cold has significantly reduced the 72-hour golden rescue window.
