On the afternoon of May 18th, earthquakes struck in two areas of Xinjiang, China. A 4.5 magnitude earthquake hit Kuqa City in the Aksu region, followed by a 3.9 magnitude earthquake in Urumqi a little over three hours later, with local residents reporting noticeable tremors.
The China Earthquake Networks Center officially determined that at 16:32 on May 18th, a 3.9 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Shabak District of Urumqi, Xinjiang (latitude 43.67 degrees north, longitude 87.42 degrees east), with a depth of 30 kilometers.
Local residents described the situation, saying, “The tremor in Urumqi was very strong, the crystal chandelier on our ceiling swayed for more than ten seconds without stopping, it was really terrifying.” “There was tremor in the north of Changji City.” “There was tremor in the Tianshan area.” “I am in the Nanshan Shuixigou of Urumqi, and I clearly felt the earthquake waves coming from the west.”
Earlier on the 18th, at 13:07, a 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck Kuqa City in the Aksu region of Xinjiang (latitude 41.40 degrees north, longitude 83.96 degrees east), with a depth of 13 kilometers.
Additionally, at 00:21 on the 18th, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Liunan District of Liuzhou City, Guangxi, located in southwestern China, with a depth of 8 kilometers. As of now, the earthquakes have resulted in three deaths, four injuries, and the collapse of 14 houses.