The death toll from the earthquake in southwest China has risen to 66. More than 200 people were injured, more than 50 seriously, state media reported Tuesday. More than ten people were considered missing. Monday’s quakes had reached a magnitude of 6.8. The Luding district and surrounding Ganzi prefecture, which is largely inhabited by Tibetans, and the neighboring city of Ya’an were particularly hard hit.
The area is a one to two hour drive southwest of the provincial capital of Chengdu. A large-scale search and rescue operation has begun. Thousands of helpers took part in the rescue work. The authorities also mobilized units of the People’s Liberation Army. More than 250 homes were destroyed and another 13,000 damaged. There had also been landslides. Many roads were damaged or blocked. Electricity, water and communications were also cut off.
35,000 households cut off from the outside world
Several aftershocks, one of which reached the magnitude of 4.2, terrified people. Communication with the outside world has been disrupted in 35,000 households, the Volkszeitung reports. More than 40,000 people were without power. The rescue forces were supported by transport helicopters and aerial reconnaissance drones. Heavy equipment was also deployed to clear the area. Relief supplies were brought to the earthquake zone.
Chinese head of state and party leader Xi Jinping called for extensive efforts to save the victims. People should be resettled and taken out of harm’s way. Every effort must also be made to protect the emergency services. The Beijing Ministry of Finance and the provincial government each provided 50 million yuan, the equivalent of 7.23 million euros, in emergency aid, state media reported.
Memories of disaster of 2008
The province is considered particularly prone to earthquakes. In 2008, Sichuan was hit by a massive earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, killing more than 80,000 people. Since the province is on the edge of the thrust zone of the Indian tectonic plate and the Eurasian plate, earthquakes are frequent.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
