The Tangshan earthquake occurred on July 28, 1976, in the city of Tangshan, China. It registered a magnitude of 7.5 and struck in the early morning hours, causing widespread destruction. The earthquake lasted about 15 seconds and devastated the region, leading to significant loss of life and property. The disaster resulted in an estimated 242,000 deaths, making it one of the deadliest earthquakes in history. In addition to the loss of life, the earthquake damaged or destroyed over 90% of the buildings in Tangshan. The event prompted changes in China's disaster preparedness and response strategies.