Rescue workers struggle to get to Chinese quake victims

The high altitude of the Tibetan plateau, very low temperatures and aftershocks are making it difficult for rescue workers to get to survivors buried under rubble. The number of deaths caused by the earthquake in Yushu county has risen to well over 600.

Chinese state television is keeping people updated, showing footage of rescue work. One report showed a woman being pulled from the debris of her house. Though she seemed exhausted, she was only slightly injured. Although scenes like this are meant to be encouraging, it is expected that the death toll will continue to rise.

Central coordination of relief efforts

Rescue teams with dogs are desperately searching for bodies buried in the rubble, soldiers are listening for sounds of movement and are using shovels to dig through collapsed buildings. Thousands of helpers and medical staff from neighboring provinces have come to Yushu county to help. The government ordered help to the region immediately.

"A center for coordination has been set up to make the rescue work as efficient as possible. There are eight different groups. They are overseeing medical care, reconstruction, security and helping life to get back to normal for the inhabitants," an anchor on Chinese TV explained.

Rescue crews were coordinated very quickly. China was not so lucky two years ago, when an 8.0 earthquake took 87,000 lives in Qinghai's neighboring province of Sichuan. Although rescue teams were speedily dispatched this time, many of the affected parts of the remote mountainous region are difficult to reach. The streets connecting Jiegu and other surrounding towns have been badly damaged in the earthquake, making it difficult for relief supply trucks to get to where they need to go.

Not enough supplies

The first batch of medicine, tents, blankets and padded clothing has already been delivered but the area is still waiting for more. "The rescue teams do not have enough supplies. They don't have any tents or jackets and many of them don't have enough to drink," a reporter stated.

The harsh weather is also taking its toll on the workers; fierce icy winds sweep through the Tibetan plateau. The epicenter of the 6.9 quake was located between the southwestern Qinghai province and the Tibetan Autonomous Region.

85 percent of buildings destroyed

Jiegu county was worst hit with a total of 85 percent of all buildings being destroyed, including houses, schools, monasteries and bridges, leaving nearly 17,000 people homeless. For the meantime, the sports stadium in Yushu has been transformed into a hospital, which is quickly becoming too small to treat the some 10,000 wounded.

Chinese media said that thousands of people in the area had spent their first night of homelessness on the streets. Many were afraid to take refuge in the buildings that were still standing in case of aftershocks.

"We have counted over 476 aftershocks, eight of which have been over 3.0 on the Richter scale. Experts are saying it is likely there will be another earthquake over 6.0," state media reported.

Prime Minister Wen Jiabao travelled to the region on Thursday to show his support for the victims.

Author: Petra Aldenrath / sb
Editor: Anne Thomas