Sichuan Yibin Earthquake: Troops Rapidly Deploy for Disaster Relief Operations
At 00:12 on June 29, 2026, a magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Gao County, Yibin City, Sichuan Province, with a focal depth of 6 kilometers. The epicenter was located at 28.50 degrees north latitude, 104.69 degrees east longitude.
Following the earthquake, officers and soldiers of the People's Liberation Army, the People's Armed Police, and militia units moved upon receiving orders, rushing to the disaster zone at the first opportunity to conduct emergency rescue operations.
The Western Theater Command Joint Operations Command Center rapidly activated its emergency mechanism, directing and coordinating forces through the night to assess the disaster situation, proactively liaising with local authorities on troop requirements, and standing ready at all times to respond and act.
The disaster situation is the order. The Sichuan Provincial Military District and the PAP Sichuan General Contingent activated their emergency rescue response mechanisms at the first opportunity. The Provincial Military District rapidly established dedicated combat readiness duty positions, and exercised unified command over the Gao County, Gong County, and Changning County People's Armed Forces Departments, deploying 180 militia personnel to carry out tasks including disaster assessment, road clearance, hazard inspection, and order maintenance.
The PAP Sichuan General Contingent Gong County Squadron drew 13 officer cadres to form an advance reconnaissance detachment, pushing through the night toward the epicenter and arriving at Shanglong Village, Shahe Town, Gao County at approximately 1:00 a.m. The detachment conducted on-site verification of real-time data on house damage, road passability, and trapped civilians, providing data support for subsequent rescue deployment.
As of 06:00 on June 29, following the first round of inspections, 13 persons had been injured in the disaster, all with minor injuries, and 225 persons had been evacuated and resettled under emergency measures.
Due to persistent rainfall, Gao County People's Armed Forces Department militia personnel have held the front line, carrying out tasks such as hazard patrol, obstacle clearance, and inspection to guard against secondary disasters including aftershocks, flash floods, and landslides. At present, all aspects of earthquake relief work are proceeding in an intense and orderly manner.
Authors: Zhang Leifeng, Li Lei, Yang Mingyue, Ma Jialong, Shao Bokang, Lian Yi, Zheng Peng, Liu Dian, Song Yao, Liu Junqiao