By MOOK Scenic Spots Family / Compiled and Reported
A powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Sichuan Province, China, around 21:20 on August 8. The epicenter was near Jiuzhaigou County in Aba Prefecture, Sichuan (33.20°N, 103.88°E), with a depth of 20 kilometers. About 20 minutes later, a 3.3-magnitude aftershock occurred, a shallow quake with a depth of just 9 kilometers. As the Jiuzhaigou scenic area was in the peak tourist season, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications reported that all 289 people in 15 Taiwanese tour groups in the area were safe. Travelers planning to visit Jiuzhaigou in the near future are advised to stay updated on local conditions and whether tours are operating normally.
Updated 2017.08.09 10:30
The current death toll has risen to 13, with 175 injured, and officials say the number of fatalities could reach 100. After an overnight confirmation process, all 341 Taiwanese travelers have been confirmed safe. The Executive Yuan expressed condolences for the earthquake and stated its willingness to provide assistance. However, no travel advisory related to Jiuzhaigou has been issued yet.
Updated 2017.08.09 10:30
The current death toll has risen to 13, with 175 injured, and officials say the number of fatalities could reach 100. After an overnight confirmation process, all 341 Taiwanese travelers have been confirmed safe. The Executive Yuan expressed condolences for the earthquake and stated its willingness to provide assistance. However, no travel advisory related to Jiuzhaigou has been issued yet.
In autumn, the leaves of the scenic spots in Jiuzhaigou turn red, making it the most "red" season of the year. (Photo / Sichuan Food and Drug Administration)
After the strong earthquake, many buildings in the area were damaged, resulting in 4 deaths and over 30 injuries. There were at least 40,000 tourists in the area at the time, and power outages occurred. Local government fire brigades and rescue units entered the disaster zone overnight to conduct search and rescue operations. Phone and internet connections may be unstable, so those planning to visit the area in the coming days should pay close attention to local conditions and any travel advisories.