Rescuers search for earthquake survivors in China

  • 10 years ago
Rescuers have been searching for survivors through the rubble of buildings destroyed in the earthquake that shook south western China on Sunday.

Around 400 died and 1,800 were injured in the 6.5-magnitude tremor in Yunnan province.

About 230,000 people have had to be evacuated from the area.

Many older structures have been severely affected.

Over 80,000 homes are reported to have crumbled in the quake in Ludian County.

China’s Earthquake Administration has said the high population density and weak building materials have contributed to the destruction.

Poor weather has been hampering the search efforts of the 18,000 rescuers deployed to the region.

There are concerns that swollen rivers may burst their banks in the next few days and causing floods.

The Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited the disaster zone on Monday.

State media has said relatives of the dead will receive around the equivalent of 2,420 euros in compensation.

Recommended