China earthquake kills more than 150 Over 5,700 injured in 6.6 quake, the country's worst in three years Read more: http://www.xclusivetalk.blogspot.com

China earthquake kills more than 150

Over 5,700 injured in 6.6 quake, the country's worst in three years

 A DEVASTATING earthquake struck China today, killing over 150 people and injuring more than 5,700.

The 6.6 quake – the country's worst in three years – hit a remote mountainous area in south-western China’s Sichuan 

province just after 8am (midnight GMT).

Pictures show collapsed buildings and people in bloodied bandages being treated in tents outside a hospital in Lushan 

county - close to where an earthquake killed almost 70,000 people in 2008.

6,000 troops have been deployed to the area to help with rescue efforts, according to state media.                                       

 

                                                                                                                            

Wounded ... a woman has her head injuries bandaged up following the quake

Rescuers in Lushan have reportedly pulled over 91 survivors from the rubble.

In villages closest to the epicentre, almost all low-rise buildings have been razed to the ground – amid fears the quake 

could trigger landslides over the coming hours.

Premier Li Keqiang has flown into the disaster zone by helicopter to voice support for the rescue operation.

He said: “The first 72 hours is the golden period for rescue. We cannot delay by a minute.”     

 Despair ... a man sits in front of a house destroyed by the earthquake

          Rubble ... rescuers look on at a destroyed building in Gucheng village

The earthquake struck near the city of Ya’an and was felt in provincial capital Chengdu, causing many to rush out of 

buildings in panic.

Water and electricity in the area were cut off by the quake. Hospitals are mainly treating head and leg injuries.

International children's charity Plan International has started an emergency response. Plan China country director Mark 

Leighton said: "Meeting the needs of children is an urgent priority of our emergency response.

       Landslide ... a giant rock blocks the road, about 12 miles from Ya'an city

 Destruction ... an aerial view shows houses damaged after the powerful earthquake

"There will be affected children in outlying and difficult to reach rural areas. Our emergency response team are heading 

to the worst-affected zones."

One Chengdu resident described how he was on the 13th floor of a building when the quake hit, making it shake for 

about 20 seconds as tiles fell from nearby buildings.

Ya’an – considered one of the birthplaces of Chinese tea culture – is home to one of China’s main centres for protecting 

the giant panda, but the animals are “safe”, according to a spokesman.

Far East ... the earthquake struck near Chengdu city in Sichuan province

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