3 killed, 300 injured as quake rocks Yunnan

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Source: CCTV.com | 06-04-2007 09:53

A local resident clears the debris of his house following a strong earthquake in Ning'er, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 3, 2007.[Xinhua]

Three people have been confirmed dead after a strong earthquake hit Southwest China's Yunnan Province. The quake measured 6.4 on the Richter scale, and has also injured more than 300 people.

Early on Sunday morning, an earthquake shook Hani and Yi Autonomous County of Ning'er, in Pu'er City. It caused significant damages to houses and infrastructure. Nearly all the shops in the city were forced to close. Many residents were evacuated.

More than 300 aftershocks were registered on Sunday, the strongest with a magnitude of 5.1. The local government has set up emergency shelters, and the wounded were rushed to hospital.

The quake is drawing the central government's attention. President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao, and Vice Premier Hui Liangyu have ordered the State Council and the local governments to help with recovery efforts.

The local government of Pu'er City has already allocated one million yuan for emergency relief. The provincial civil affairs department is sending tents, quilts, and clothes to the stricken area. And the Ministry of Civil Affairs has dispatched an emergency team as well.

Residents in neighboring cities like Lincang also felt the tremor, but damage and casualty reports are not yet available.

So far, 120 thousand residents have been evacuated. The repairing of infrastructure is underway.

Editor:Du Xiaodan