Rescuers search for Yunnan quake survivors as Li arrives

As reported in 'The Japan News' : Rescuers search for Yunnan quake survivors as Li arrives 10:15 pm, August 04, 2014 The Associated Press A car is crushed by a collapsed building Monday in the epicenter of an earthquake that struck the town of Longtoushan in Ludian County, Yunnan Province, China.

The Associated Press BEIJING (AP)—Rescuers dug through shattered homes Monday looking for survivors of a strong earthquake in southern China’s Yunnan Province. About 12,000 homes collapsed when the quake struck Sunday afternoon in impoverished Ludian County, about 370 kilometers northeast of Yunnan’s capital, Kunming, China’s official Xinhua News Agency reported. Ma Yaoqi, an 18-year-old volunteer in the quake zone, said by phone that at least half of the buildings had collapsed on the road from the city center of Zhaotong to the hardest hit town of Longtou. The rest of the buildings were damaged, she said. “I saw dead bodies being wrapped in quilts and carried away,” said Ma, who had arrived with 20 other volunteers Monday. “Some were wrapped with small quilts. Those must be kids.” Overhead footage of the quake zone shot by state broadcaster CCTV showed older houses flattened but newer multistory buildings still standing. Rain and thunderstorms were forecast for the area Monday afternoon, complicating efforts to bring tents, water, food and other relief supplies to survivors. Roads had caved in, and rescuers were forced to travel on foot. Repeated aftershocks also were making the rescue work dangerous. The USGS showed four aftershocks of magnitude 4.5 and higher hitting after the initial quake. Many of the homes that collapsed in Ludian were old and made of brick, Xinhua said, adding that electricity and telecommunications were cut off in the county. The mountainous region where the quake occurred is largely agricultural, with farming and mining the top industries, and is prone to earthquakes. Relief efforts are under way, with more than 2,500 troops dispatched to the disaster region, Xinhua said. The Red Cross Society of China allocated quilts, jackets and tents for those made homeless by the quake, while Red Cross branches in Hong Kong, Macau and neighboring Sichuan province also sent relief supplies. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang reached the worst-hit area Monday afternoon to oversee quake relief, Xinhua said. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon offered “his condolences to the Chinese Government and the families of those killed,” according to a statement from his office. The statement said the U.N. was ready to “lend its assistance to efforts to respond to humanitarian needs” and “to mobilize any international support needed.” The White House also offered its condolences. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those that lost their lives,” said National Security Council deputy spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan. “The United States stands ready to assist.” CCTV said the quake was the strongest to hit Yunnan in 14 years.