China: Injuries reported following magnitude-5.4 earthquake occurs in Shandong Province early Aug. 6 /update 1

Event

Officials have reported at least 20 minor injuries as of the morning of Aug. 6 following the magnitude-5.5 earthquake in China's Shandong Province at around 02:33. There have been no immediate reports of fatalities. The quake also destroyed around 126 buildings near the epicenter. Authorities confirmed utilities, including water, electricity, and communication lines, are functioning normally in the impacted area, though further damage assessments are continuing. Rail officials have temporarily suspended train services on the Beijing-Shanghai highspeed and Shijiazhuang-Jinan lines between Dezhou East to Jinan West for track inspections; authorities confirmed other train services are operational following damage assessments.

The earthquake's epicenter was about 26 km (16 miles) south of Dezhou. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and strong shaking occurred in areas near the epicenter, with light-to-moderate shaking felt in other parts of northeastern China, including Tianjin. It could take several hours until authorities can complete damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days; officials have reported dozens of low-magnitude tremors after the initial quake.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.