Powerful quake in China affects 1 million, causes $75 million in damages – UN

A powerful earthquake that struck south-eastern China on Monday has affected close to 1 million people spread over 10 counties and resulted in an estimated $75 million in economic loss, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported today.

At least 16 people were killed and nearly 400 injured when the temblor, measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale, hit Yunnan Province at 11:16 p.m. local time, destroying thousands of mud-brick houses while people were sleeping. More than 18,000 housing units have collapsed and 396 large animals were killed.

Landslides caused by the quake, heavy rain, the mountainous terrain as well as hundreds of aftershocks have seriously impeded rescue efforts, OCHA said. Relief supplies for victims in the most remote areas could only be delivered on food or on horseback, while food, tens and medicines were in short supply.

OCHA said it has not received any request from Beijing for international assistance. In the meantime, more than 2,000 soldiers, armed police and militia reserves arrived in the quake-zone to provide relief and help in the rescue effort. In addition, a 20-strong team of experts organized by the China Seismological Bureau travelled to the area to provide assistance. The provincial government has also sent two teams of officials and expert to assess the situation and to help organize rescue work.