Strong earthquake strikes near Tibetan capital, killing 9

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Source: CCTV.com | 10-07-2008 08:48

Strong earthquake strikes near Tibetan capital, killing 9
A 6.6-magnitude earthquake has hit Damxung County near Lhasa, capital of Tibet Autonomous Region. The regional rescue headquarters confirmed early on Tuesday that at least nine people have been killed. Li Xiang takes a look.

A woman with her child walks past the collapsed building  in Gedar Village of Yangbajain Township, Damxung County in  southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Oct. 6, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

The earthquake jolted Damxung county at 4:30 PM on Monday. Its epicenter was 82 kilometers to the northwest of Lhasa.

Almost 150 houses collapsed. Communication and traffic links to Damxung County have been cut off.

Authorities say no major damage occurred at historical sites in Tibet, including the famous Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple.

Meanwhile, the Qinghai-Tibet railway remained running normally.

Rescuers arrived at the village of Yangyi, the worst-hit site in Damxung, late on Monday night.

More than six hundred soldiers, police officers and firefighters pulled nine bodies from the debris, revised down from the initial estimate of 30.

11 people were seriously injured while eight others received light injuries.

This local resident said she felt so dizzy when the quake struck that she couldn't stay on her feet.

Classes ended early in schools in Lhasa, where the quake was also felt.

Yan Zhongyi, Vice Principal Lhasa No.1 Primary School, said, "We organized students to leave in an orderly manner, so there were no problems during the process, and no panic among the students."

China's seismological authorities are sending experts to the quake-hit area.