Shandong Dezhou Plain 5.5 Magnitude Earthquake with No Reported Casualties, Activates Level-3 Earthquake Emergency Response

Jinan, August 6 (Xinhua) - According to the official measurement of the China Earthquake Network Center, a 5.5 magnitude earthquake occurred in Pingyuan County, Dezhou City, Shandong Province at 2:33 am on August 6. The earthquake had a depth of 10 kilometers. At 3:02 am, a 3.0 magnitude earthquake occurred again in Pingyuan County, with a depth of 9 kilometers. The epicenters of both earthquakes were located at a latitude of 37.16 degrees north and a longitude of 116.34 degrees east. As of 4:05 am on August 6, no reports of casualties have been received.

Upon receiving the report, Zhou Liwei, the commander of the Shandong Provincial Earthquake Relief Headquarters and Deputy Governor, arrived at the Provincial Emergency Command Center to direct and coordinate the response. Video conferences were held with Dezhou City, Pingyuan County, the Shandong Provincial Earthquake Bureau, and the Shandong Provincial Communications Administration, requesting timely assessment of the earthquake's impact.

At 3:40 am on August 6, the Shandong Provincial Earthquake Relief Headquarters activated a Level-3 earthquake emergency response and dispatched a guidance team led by officials from the Shandong Provincial Emergency Department and the Shandong Provincial Earthquake Bureau to the scene.

The Shandong Provincial earthquake rescue teams and medical rescue teams have been assembled and ready for deployment, coordinating with local garrisons, the armed police force, and firefighting rescue teams to join the earthquake relief efforts.

The Shandong Provincial Earthquake Relief Headquarters immediately held an emergency meeting to comprehensively arrange and deploy earthquake relief work, requiring all member units to carry out their duties according to the "Shandong Province Earthquake Emergency Plan."

On the same day, at around 3:00 am, the Shandong Provincial Earthquake Bureau held a press conference. Liu Xiqiang, Deputy Director of the Shandong Provincial Earthquake Bureau, stated that based on the trend analysis, the possibility of a larger earthquake occurring after this earthquake is minimal.

"At 2:33 am today, a 5.5 magnitude earthquake occurred in Pingyuan County, Dezhou City, Shandong Province. The earthquake was felt throughout the province," Liu Xiqiang said. The Shandong Provincial Earthquake Bureau took some emergency measures immediately after the earthquake, "At 3:25 am, we dispatched the first batch of on-site work teams, and close to 4:00 am, we dispatched the second batch, totaling 19 people to the scene."

Liu Xiqiang stated that this earthquake was unprecedented in the history of Pingyuan County, Dezhou City, with no history of earthquakes of magnitude 5 or higher within a 50-kilometer radius of the epicenter. (End)