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Chinese officials were
reluctant to release details of the
earthquake |
1976: Chinese earthquake kills hundreds of
thousands |
England have
Hundreds of thousands of people are feared dead following an earthquake
measuring 8.3 on the Richter Scale in China.
The quake has virtually destroyed the city of Tangshan, north-east of
Beijing, and Western sources believe the death toll may be much higher
than the official figure of 240,000. Some believe the figure is more like
750,000.
The Hong Kong Royal Observatory reports the earthquake was intense
although speculation of the magnitude of the quake ranges from 6.3 to 8.3.
Around 2,000 people are believed to have died when the quake devastated
the city's biggest hospital, according to sources quoting Chinese
officials.
It is feared that many miners are buried alive in coal works in the
industrial city, which has a total population of 1.6m.
Diplomatic observers say that up to 80,000 people died in the first
shock of the natural disaster.
Up to 164,000 people have been severely injured, according to initial
reports from the city.
Tangshan was at the epicentre of the formidable earthquake although it
badly damaged Tientsin and tremors were felt in Beijing, where
residents were urged to live in the streets and keep to open spaces as it
is not thought to be safe to return to their homes in the city.
The force of the quake has been so strong that people are reported to
have been thrown into the air after roads, bridges, railway stations,
homes and factories were completely destroyed.
The quake has also knocked out power throughout the city, making rescue
efforts difficult.
When the earthquake struck Tangshan at 03:42 local time, more than a
million people lay sleeping. The entire earthquake reportedly lasted
approximately 14 to 16 seconds. It was followed by an aftershock measuring
7.1.
Survivors have been digging through debris to answer the calls for help
as well as find missing relatives.
There is a deep-seated peasant belief that the "Year of the Dragon"
(which happens every 12 years) augurs ill.
The survivors of the Tangshan quake are living in tents and are
expected to be moved to winter shelters, the New China news agency has
reported. Aircraft and lorries have been taking large quantities of relief
supplies to help the relief effort.
The authorities later hope to move people to simple houses, which can
withstand tremors and are warm and rainproof before winter sets in.
Chinese officials have rejected any offers of help from the outside
world, saying that survivors have enough to eat and wear and there are
sufficient medical supplies and doctors in the city.