Lessons learnt from analysing the causes of casualties in the Sichuan Changning M s 6.0 earthquake

Abstract. This paper summarizes the Ms 6.0 earthquake disaster that occurred in Changning, Sichuan Province, China, on 17 June 2019. Additionally, a description of the disaster emergency response is provided. As determined by on-site investigation and analysis, the direct causes of earthquake casualties are summarized. Among them, 66 % of the casualties can be attributed to substandard seismic protection, 25 % to improper earthquake risk avoidance, 6 % to earthquake-induced geological disasters, and 3 % to pre-existing diseases exacerbated by the earthquake. Responding to the causes of these four casualty types, we summarize 4 lessons, which are to build in accordance with seismic protection requirements; strengthen publicity and education awareness of earthquake emergency evacuation and training for the population; investigate and evaluate potential geological disaster sources in the stricken area, along with conducting prevention and control; establish cooperation with health organizations, focusing on people who are older or have serious illnesses and conducting earthquake evacuation training and psychological counselling.