This paper analyzes the characteristics of building damage and casualties from the Luding M_S6.8 earthquake by comparing them with those of the Jiuzhaigou M_S7.0 earthquake. The results indicate that the Luding earthquake resulted in more severe building damage and a higher number of casualties than the Jiuzhaigou earthquake. This disparity is primarily attributed to the inadequate earthquake resistance of buildings,unsuitable building locations,and a relatively higher incidence of geological hazards in the affected areas. The study identifies six major types of building structures in the disaster areas:steel-concrete composite structures,concrete-masonry structures,timber frame structures,stone-timber structures,and soil-timber structures. Based on an analysis of seismic indices and fragility curves,the most severely damaged buildings were concrete-masonry structures lacking seismic fortification and simple buildings with low seismic resilience. The primary cause of fatalities was geological hazards,which predominantly occurred in regions with high earthquake intensity and significant geological vulnerability. Middle-aged and elderly individuals were found to have the highest mortality rates,which strongly correlated with the earthquake intensity and population density. The disaster area is characterized by hilly and valley landforms,which contributed to the specific patterns of building damage and casualties observed. The findings of this paper offer valuable insights for future research on earthquake disaster risks in similar regions.