A strong, shallow earthquake struck near Ya’an on 20 April 2013, causing widespread building damage, landslides and a large emergency response across western Sichuan.
This archive consolidates the principal information carried in the original rolling report. Figures changed repeatedly during the first week; the final update on this page recorded 196 confirmed deaths, 21 people missing and more than 15,000 injuries. These are historical figures, not a live incident bulletin.
Archive note: Early earthquake measurements and impact totals were preliminary. Different seismic agencies reported slightly different magnitudes and depths as data were refined.
The epicentral area lay roughly 100 kilometres southwest of Chengdu in mountainous country where steep slopes, narrow roads and scattered settlements complicated access. The event is commonly known as the Lushan or Ya’an earthquake.
The earthquake damaged older masonry and timber buildings most severely, while many other structures became temporarily unsafe. Reports from the affected region described disrupted electricity, water and telecommunications, damaged roads and bridges, and widespread displacement.
Strong shaking was reported across Sichuan and in neighbouring areas. Accounts collected at the time commonly described swaying in upper floors, rattling windows, moving furniture and repeated aftershocks. Such observations are useful context, but they do not replace instrument measurements or structural inspection.
By the later updates, official summaries listed more than 15,000 injured people and more than 230,000 relocated residents. Rural and urban housing sustained extensive collapse or serious damage. Counts were often reported in rooms rather than complete buildings, which caused confusion when figures were repeated outside their original administrative context.
Thousands of aftershocks were recorded during the first days, including several events around magnitude 5. The sequence presented a continuing risk to unstable structures and to personnel working in damaged buildings.
Landslides were a central concern. Rainfall complicated transport and raised the possibility of further slope failures in Lushan and Baoxing counties. Monitoring teams subsequently identified numerous locations requiring assessment. Reservoirs, dams, roads, bridges and water infrastructure were also inspected for earthquake-related damage.
Preparedness principle: After strong shaking, expect aftershocks, stay clear of visibly damaged structures and slopes, and follow current local emergency instructions. General guidance is available in the preparedness library.
The earthquake struck shortly after 08:00 local time. Search-and-rescue teams, medical workers and relief supplies were deployed while roads, utilities and communications were assessed.
Aftershocks continued. Temporary accommodation and supply distribution grew as authorities worked to reach communities affected by landslides and damaged roads.
Road access improved in some areas, but rainfall and unstable hillsides complicated transport. Electricity and communications began returning to additional communities.
Temporary hospitals and shelters remained in use. Updated assessments documented extensive housing damage and displacement.
Later administrative reporting reduced discrepancies in casualty and missing-person figures and added detail about damage to rural and urban housing.
Testing found that some local water sources required treatment. Temporary learning spaces supported the gradual resumption of classes.
Attention increasingly shifted to rainfall, unstable slopes and other secondary hazards while relief and recovery operations continued.
The original report listed many agency solutions for the mainshock and early aftershocks. This condensed table preserves representative entries without implying that every preliminary value remained definitive.
| UTC time | Event | Magnitude range | Reported depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Apr, 00:02 | Mainshock | 6.6–7.0 | 12–20 km |
| 20 Apr, 00:31 | Aftershock | 4.8–5.0 | 10–15 km |
| 20 Apr, 01:11 | Aftershock | 4.9–5.0 | 10–22 km |
| 20 Apr, 01:37 | Aftershock | 4.9–5.1 | 12–20 km |
| 20 Apr, 03:34 | Aftershock | 5.1–5.2 | 12–20 km |
| 20 Apr, 20:53 | Aftershock | 5.1–5.2 | 9–21 km |
Rapid disaster reporting is inherently provisional. Casualty totals can move as local records are reconciled, while building counts can refer to rooms, households or complete structures. Economic-loss estimates in the source also varied substantially and were modelled before complete assessments were available, so they are not presented here as settled totals.
For additional scientific and geographic background, read Understanding the Lushan–Ya’an earthquake. The earlier rolling material is retained in the linked event archive.
Background on the regional setting and how the 2013 event fits into the seismic context of Sichuan.
Read the explainer →
Browse established pages for major events and compare reporting across locations and years.
Browse the archive →
Review household planning, safe actions and the importance of current local instructions.
Open preparedness guidance →