Rescue efforts in aftermath of China earthquake

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At least 400 people have been killed and 10,000 have been injured in an earthquake, which rattled the rugged province of Qinghai near the Tibetan border of China on Wednesday. The 7.1 magnitude quake struck near the surface, flattening houses, schools and offices, and cutting water and power supplies.

Worse hit is Jiegu, a town in remote Yushu County, about 500 miles from the Qinghai provincial capital in northwest China. According to the BBC, a local official reported most of the buildings in the town were destroyed.

“It does appear that there is quite extensive damage,”said Red Cross spokesperson Francis Markus. “And still many people trapped under buildings and considerable logistical difficulties. The lack of excavating equipment and damaged roads making it hard to logistically get relief supplies in.”

About 5,000 quake rescuers have been sent from neighboring provinces, along with relief supplies, the BBC reported today.

Michael Bristow, a BBC correspondent in Beijing, says the remote and mountainous area in Qinghai will make travel to the area and rescue efforts challenging.

“It’s above 4,000 meters, most of the county where this earthquake occurred, so it’s quite cold … there’s rain and sleet forecasted for the next few days, so that’s going to make rescue efforts more difficult.”

More on this story from our partners:
The “New York Times”
Hundreds dead in western China quake
Video of earthquake damage in China

BBC
China earthquake kills hundreds in Qinghai (with video)
UK aid effort starts after western China earthquake

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