At least 4 people died due to the double earthquake in China

Earthquake damaged roads in Ya’an city, Sichuan province, China – Photo: WEIBO

CCTV reported that two earthquakes occurred in a sparsely populated area in Sichuan province, China, on June 1.

The China Earthquake Network Center said the first quake had a magnitude of 6.1 on the Richter scale, taking place around 5pm (local time). Three minutes later was a second earthquake with a magnitude of 4.5 on the Richter scale.

CCTV released footage showing dozens of students screaming and ducking under desks as the building shook due to the earthquake. The students then rushed out of the classroom, covering their heads with their hands.

Another video posted on social media by state broadcaster CGTN caused landslides and damaged cars on the street.

A worker, surnamed Guo, who works at a high-rise building in Chengdu, about 100 kilometers from the quake’s epicenter, said he felt the office door swinging back and forth.

Authorities in Ya’an city (Nha An) dispatched more than 4,500 people to the earthquake area, including rescue workers, firefighters and the military.

According to CCTV, the city of Ya’an is “developing all efforts to rescue trapped people” and reduce the number of casualties as much as possible.

Chinese media reported that the tremors spread to cities across Sichuan province, damaging several telecommunications lines.

According to AFP news agency, the mountains of Sichuan – a popular tourist destination and home to China’s giant pandas – are prone to earthquakes.

A magnitude 8.0 earthquake in 2008 in Wenchuan County of Sichuan claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people and caused enormous damage. Among those killed were thousands of children when schools collapsed.