Lhasa: At least 30 people were killed Monday when a powerful quake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale jolted this Tibetan provincial capital in China, officials said.

The quake occurred at 4.30 p.m. Monday. All the victims were from the Gedar township in Damxung county near Lhasa. Officials said many people might still be trapped under the debris of collapsed houses. Gedar township was completely cut off from the outside world after its traffic and telecommunication networks snapped following the quake.

Soldiers and medical staff were rushed to the site to conduct rescue work. Areas adjacent to Gedar township were also affected. However, reports of deaths and injuries there are yet to be verified.

According to the State Seismological Bureau, the epicentre of the quake was located some 82 km from Lhasa.

Several historical sites such as the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, as well as many buildings were damaged in the provincial capital Lhasa after the quake. However, the Qinghai-Tibet railway and Lhasa airport remained fully operational.

 

Source : IANS