1st LD-Writethru: 8 dead in 6.2-magnitude earthquake in China's Gansu

LANZHOU, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Eight people have been confirmed dead after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake jolted Jishishan county in northwest China's Gansu Province late Monday evening, according to local authorities.

The rescue work is underway.

Eyewitnesses have reported cracks in some houses and rural roads, with power and water supplies disrupted in some local villages.

The provincial fire department has activated a level-I emergency response, deploying 580 rescue personnel and over 10,000 pieces of equipment to the earthquake-hit area.

The provincial Red Cross Society has earmarked the first batch of relief materials, which are being transported to the affected area.

The earthquake has also caused casualties in the adjacent province of Qinghai, but the exact number is currently being confirmed, according to local emergency management authorities.

Jishishan county is located at the junction of Gansu and Qinghai provinces, approximately 200 km from the provincial capital of Lanzhou. Many areas in Gansu and Qinghai experienced strong tremors.