Rescuers in northwestern China are racing against time in freezing temperatures as the country grapples with its deadliest earthquake in nearly a decade. The powerful quake has already claimed at least 127 lives and left 700 people injured, while displacing tens of thousands and causing widespread destruction.

The earthquake struck late Tuesday night, jolting residents awake just before midnight. Chinese authorities measured the temblor at magnitude 6.2, while the U.S. Geological Survey recorded it as a 5.9. The disaster had a devastating impact, with 155,000 homes damaged or deemed uninhabitable, leaving many survivors homeless.

Jishishan county in the Gansu province bore the brunt of the earthquake's force, located just three miles from the border of neighboring province Qinghai. The shallow depth of the earthquake, only six miles deep, amplified its effects and caused tremors to be felt as far away as the 60-mile distant capital of Lanzhou.

The region, known as one of China's poorest, saw homes crumble and witnessed a tragic landslide that buried half of a village in silt. In response, thousands of rescue crews have been deployed to the affected area under the orders of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Rescue efforts have been further complicated by freezing temperatures, with overnight lows ranging from 5 to 16 degrees Fahrenheit. The immediate focus has been on providing shelter and essential supplies to affected residents. Tents, folding beds, and quilts are being rushed to the region to assist the displaced survivors. However, the earthquake's impact on infrastructure has led to a disruption in water, electricity, and mobile signals, hampering rescue operations.

As for the casualties, Gansu has reported a total of 113 deaths and 536 injuries, while neighboring Qinghai has recorded 14 fatalities and 198 injuries. Additionally, officials in Qinghai have identified 20 people who are still missing after a landslide. The search for these missing individuals remains ongoing.

Ma Dongdong, a quake victim, recounted the destruction caused by the earthquake. He revealed that three bedrooms of his home were lost, and his milk tea shop suffered significant damage. In the immediate aftermath of the quake, Ma and his family spent the night in a field, seeking warmth from a fire. Later, they joined a tent settlement for displaced victims, along with approximately 700 others, where they anxiously awaited deliveries of blankets and warm clothing.

The deadly earthquake in northwestern China marks the highest death toll since 2014, when an earthquake in Yunnan province claimed the lives of 617 people. With rescue operations at full swing, the Chinese authorities are working tirelessly to provide aid and support to affected areas, ensuring that the impacted communities receive the necessary assistance in their time of need.