Earthquake in China Kills Hundreds, Destroys Thousands of Homes
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iStock/Thinkstock(ZHAOTONG, China) — The White House has offered both its condolences and assistance to China in the wake of Sunday’s 6.5-magnitude earthquake that has killed hundreds and injured more than 1,800 others in the country’s mountainous southwestern region.
Officials reported that most of the fatalities occurred in the city of Zhaotong.
With rescue crews still trying to reach the most devastated areas, the death toll is expected to rise significantly.
Since power is cut off to much of Ludian County in Yunnan Province, Chinese officials are relying on initial reports that the quake completely leveled 12,000 homes and damaged at least 30,000 more, presumably leaving tens of thousands homeless.
The same province was hit by a smaller temblor two years ago that caused 80 deaths and injured more than 800 others. Forty years ago, two powerful earthquakes in Yunnan Province left over 15,000 people dead.
In a statement late Sunday, the Obama administration said, “U.S. disaster response officials are in contact with their Chinese counterparts. The United States stands ready to assist.”
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