Block after devastated block of toppled mud and wood homes

Block after devastated block of toppled

mud and wood homes

6.9-magnitude earthquake in China

14 Apr 10 - A series of strong earthquakes flattened buildings across western Yushu county in a mountainous region near Tibet yesterday, killing hundreds and injuring more than 10,000.

State television showed block after devastated block of toppled mud and wood homes, as well as temples, gas stations and electric poles. Local officials said 85 percent of the structures had been destroyed. Authorities expect casualties to rise sharply. There have already been 200 to 300 aftershocks, temperatures have dropped below freezing, and snow is expected tonight.
	Source: ESRI

The road to town, more than 12,000 feet above sea level, was blocked by a landslide, hampering rescue efforts. Tens of thousands of the town's 70,000 people were without shelter, state media said.

"Nearly all the houses made of mud and wood collapsed. There was so much dust in the air, we couldn't see anything," said Ren Yu, general manager of Yushu Hotel in Jiegu.

The destruction of schools is an eerie echo of the massive magnitude-7.9 quake that hit neighboring Sichuan province two years ago, leaving nearly 90,000 people dead or missing.

See entire article and video:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36486706/ns/world_news-asiapacific?GT1=43001

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