Attachments
GLIDE No. EQ-2010-000073-CHN
This bulletin is being issued for information only, and reflects the current situation and details available at this time. The Red Cross Society of China is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors at this time.
Summary: A 7.1- magnitude earthquake in China's Qinghai Province has killed at least 400 people and injured a further 10,000 people. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), this is the strongest quake to have hit the remote mountainous area since 1976.
The Situation
An earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale has hit northwest China's Qinghai Province at 07:49 local time on 14 April 2010 (23:49 GMT on 13 April 2010). Its epicentre is calculated to be 33.1 north and 96.7 east, which is about 50 km away from the Jiegu Township, the government seat of the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu, and about 800 km away from Xining, the Qinghai provincial capital. Eighteen aftershocks were recorded with the largest one registering a magnitude of 6.3, about an hour and 36 minutes after the earthquake.
Latest official statements are that 400 people were reported dead while some 10,000 were injured but these figures are expected to rise. Many remain buried under the debris and at least one school collapsed, causing the deaths of five school children. Electricity, water and communication are completely cut off, although air transportation has been established from Xining.
An official of the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu has told Xinhua news that more than 85 per cent of the houses in Jiegu Township have collapsed. Many houses are built with wood and earthen walls, which are more likely to collapse in a strong tremor. Jiegu has a population of about 100,000 with both permanent residents and migrant workers. While much of the area is sparsely populated, it is estimated that the quake will have heavy casualties as the epicentre was so close to Jiegu and it hit in the early morning when many were inside their homes.
The Chinese government has immediately sent an assessment team while relief teams from Qinghai province and the neighbouring Tibet Autonomous Region were deployed to the affected area. The excavation process is hindered by limited equipment in the area and difficult road conditions.