A catastrophic earthquake hit China Saturday (April 20) more than 189 people, and leaving an estimated 11,8000 seriously injured. The quake was centered in the South-Western province of Sichuan, leaving 100,000 people homeless.
Measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale, the earthquake rocked the area at around 8:00 a.m. “We lost everything in such a short time,” recalled a 20-year-old college student whose grandfather was crushed to death when their house crumbled.
Many of those affected were in the rural areas around Ya’an city.
Victim, Wang Qiong, also killed in Saturday’s tremor was buried atop a mountain near the ruble that once was her home. “We started work as usual at 8a.m., but all the machines began jumping,” noted Qing’s sister-in-law who was working at a brick factory at the time of the quake. “We panicked and ran outside. We all rushed back home but by the time I got here there was nothing left. When we dug [Wang] out, she was already dead.”
Qiong, 45, was disabled and stayed at the family home raising pigs. She leaves behind a husband and 12-year-old daughter.
Residents have complained of rescue workers moving swiftly in getting rid of all of the dead bodies, and injured victims, but taking their time at delivering food and water.
Officials have mobilized government assistance to clear through the ruble, and offer blankets, and other emergency supplies. The Chinese Red Cross has also sent out its own relief teams.
Click below to see photos.
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Photos: AP/CNN/AFP
