On April 14, 2010, a strong earthquake of magnitude 7.1 occurred in the Yushu area of Qinghai Province, affecting 27 towns in 7 counties of the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu in Qinghai Province and the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze in Sichuan Province, with an affected area of 35,862 square kilometers and a population of 246,842 people affected.