At least 381 dead as strong earthquake jolts Yunnan

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At least 381 people were killed and more than 1,800 injured by a strong earthquake that jolted Southwest China's Yunnan province on Sunday afternoon.

The 6.5-magnitude quake hit at 4:30 pm on Sunday, with the epicenter in Zhaotong city. Earthquake experts said it was the highest-magnitude earthquake to hit the province in the past 18 years.

By 8 pm Sunday, the quake had toppled more than 12,000 houses, and traffic, electricity and telecommunications in the area had been interrupted.

President Xi Jinping urged an all-out effort to save as many people as possible. Premier Li Keqiang called on officials from eight ministries to build a rescue command group in Ludian county.

Many rescuers, as well as disaster relief materials, have been rushed to the county.

The China International Search and Rescue Team has dispatched 100 rescuers and 12 dogs, while 200 soldiers from the provincial command were on their way to the epicenter.

More than 2,500 officers and soldiers have been dispatched to join the disaster relief operation.

The provincial commission for disaster reduction said it had provided 2,000 tents, 3,000 folding beds, 3,000 quilts and 3,000 cotton-padded clothes.

But mud-rock flows damaged roads to the county, so rescuers had to enter on foot.

In September 2012, a magnitude-5.7 earthquake caused more than 80 deaths and injured more than 800 people. In 1974, a magnitude-7.1 earthquake in the same place caused over 1,400 deaths.

Questions:

1. Where was the epicenter of Sunday’s deadly earthquake in Yunnan?

2. How many houses were toppled?

3. How many officers and soldiers have been dispatched to help with disaster relief operation?

Answers:

1. Zhaotong city.

2. More than 12,000.

3. More than 2,500.

（中國(guó)日?qǐng)?bào)網(wǎng)英語(yǔ)點(diǎn)津 Helen 編輯）

About the broadcaster:

Anne Ruisi is an editor at China Daily online with more than 30 years of experience as a newspaper editor and reporter. She has worked at newspapers in the U.S., including The Birmingham News in Alabama and City Newspaper of Rochester, N.Y.