Latest News:  

English>>China Society

First rescuers reach isolated SW China county

(Xinhua)

13:48, April 21, 2013

LUSHAN, Sichuan, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The first rescuers have reached an isolated county in southwest China's Sichuan Province hit by Saturday's strong earthquake, a police source said here Sunday.

According to reports from firefighters who have reached Baoxing County of Ya'an in Sichuan, local residents' homes were badly damaged by the quake.

However, the detailed situation in the county is still not clear due to the poor quality of communication between field rescuers and headquarters, said the Ministry of Public Security rescue headquarters in Lushan.

The rescuers are divided into several groups looking for survivors in the townlets of the county, especially Wulong, Mingli, Longdong and Yongfu villages, which remain out of contact with the headquarters, the police source said.

Rescuers on Saturday reached Qiaoqi, a town in Baoxing, which is largely inhabited by Tibetan people. They found that the damage there was not particularly serious with only one person injured so far, according to Qing Hai, a senior officer of the fire-fighting department of Sichuan provincial police force.

Rescuers, mainly made up of firemen, hiked into the county where communication and transportation is seriously affected, the police source said.

They are carrying light rescue equipment and have taken 11 sniffer dogs with them.

More than 870 rescuers have been sent there but some have been stranded along the way, while another team of rescuers are trying to reach the county by boat, the source said.

The rescue headquarters also called on volunteers and non-rescue vehicles not to enter this area without permission, in order to avoid additional traffic pressure in the affected areas.

A total of 203 people have been confirmed dead or missing in the 7.0-magnitude earthquake so far, according to the provincial civil affairs administration in Sichuan.



Related Reading:

Chinese president orders all-out rescue efforts after strong quake

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out measures to rescue victims and minimize casualties after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit southwestern province of Sichuan Saturday morning.

Chinese Premier visits epicenter after deadly quake

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Saturday afternoon visited the area torn by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake in China's Sichuan Province, calling for wasting no time to save lives.

First night after deadly earthquake in Lushan Country, Sichuan

A 7.0- magnitude earthquake which hit Lushan County on April 20 morning damaged the Lushan People's Hospital and doctors had to erect temporary tents outside the hosptial to treat the injured people.

Death toll still climbing over China quake

Altogether 179 people have been killed in the 7.0-magnitude earthquake in southwest China's Sichuan Province, the China Earthquake Administration announced Sunday.

Email|Print|Comments(Editor:WangXin、Wang Jinxue)

Leave your comment0 comments

  1. Name

  

Selections for you


  1. Premier Li speaks to reporters in Lushan Country

  2. New-type missile frigate in training

  3. Maduro attends his swearing-in ceremony

  4. First night after deadly earthquake

  5. People gather outside to avoid aftershocks

  6. Bird eye views of quake-hit zone in Sichuan

  7. Cross-talk artist helps to spread the word

  8. Amzing scenery of Jinggang Mountain

  9. Audi's automobiles shown in Shanghai

  10. Fish supply limited in freshwater lake

Most Popular

Opinions

  1. Texas town: like whipped by powerful tornado
  2. High land premiums set to affect profits
  3. Alliance sets new stage for culture
  4. Expats reconsider living in Beijing over pollution
  5. Boston bombings underscore U.S. security concerns
  6. No winner in competitive currency devaluation
  7. Terrorism knows no boundaries
  8. Asia to pull through the high-risk period
  9. Austerity: Why a simple idea isn’t so simple after all
  10. US 'pivot' policy destabilizing Asia-Pacific region

What’s happening in China

Baby born right after earthquake in SW China

  1. Organizations, firms donate money for quake relief
  2. Rescue efforts under way after SW China quake
  3. Over 100 dead, thousands injured in China quake
  4. Aftermath of SW China earthquake
  5. No students reported dead in SW China quake