Tangshan Earthquake, 1976

About

The 1976 Tangshan earthquake was a devastating natural disaster that occurred on July 28, 1976, in Tangshan, Hebei, China. It had a magnitude of 7.6 and struck at 3:42 a.m., causing widespread destruction. The epicenter was directly under the city, which was a major industrial and coal mining center. The earthquake destroyed nearly 100% of the living quarters in Tangshan and about 80% of its industrial buildings. Infrastructure, including bridges, railways, and dams, was severely damaged. The earthquake resulted in significant casualties, with official figures stating around 242,000 deaths, though estimates suggest it could be as high as 655,000. Over 700,000 people were injured, and extensive property damage was reported. A major aftershock with a magnitude of 7.1 occurred later that day, exacerbating the destruction and hindering rescue efforts. The disaster highlighted the need for improved seismic resilience in building design and emergency preparedness. The earthquake's impact was felt across a wide area, including Beijing, and it remains one of the deadliest earthquakes in recorded history.