Earthquake in northwest China kills at least 127 and injures more than 700

 The province of Gansu was badly affected, with approximately 155,000 buildings damaged and at least 113 fatalities.

• More than 700 injured in quake near midnight, officials say.
• Epicentre was in sub-zero temperatures when quake occurred.
• Cold wave makes rescue work tougher and more urgent.

After a terrible earthquake struck northwest China, killing over 127 people, rescuers in isolated communities in that region are working nonstop in the frigid weather to sort through the debris of collapsed homes, according to Reuters.

Injuries from the earthquake that occurred shortly before midnight have been reported to number over 700. The earthquakes shook the impoverished province of Gansu, resulting in roughly 155,000 damaged houses and at least 113 fatalities.

In Haidong, the adjoining province of Qinghai, a further 14 deaths and 198 injuries were recorded by the state-run daily the People's Daily. Residents were forced to escape into the icy streets in search of safety due to the destruction, and emergency vehicles were clogging the roads.

There are disintegrating buildings, such as a building reduced to rubble and a mosque with its top collapsing, as evidence of the earthquake's impact. The US Geological Survey reports that the earthquake, which had a magnitude of 5.9, is the deadliest to have struck China since 2014.

Seismic activity is common in the western hinterland; in 2008, an earthquake in Sichuan province claimed over 87,000 lives. Recognising the difficult high-altitude conditions, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for "all-out efforts" in search and rescue operations.

President Xi asked for caution to prevent further tragedies as rescue personnel dealt with below-freezing conditions. Villages lost access to water and power, however some electricity has since been restored.

In Gansu, thousands of firefighters and rescue workers have been sent to the area of disaster. Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, sent his sympathies and showed support for the victims of the tragedy.

While China struggles with the aftermath, efforts are concentrated on protecting people and property, and the central government has tentatively set aside 200 million yuan ($28 million) in relief funding.