Beijing: China today rushed tents, food and water supplies to thousands of Tibetan people affected by a strong earthquake and hundreds of aftershocks that rattled Lhasa and surrounding areas killing at least 10 people and collapsing nearly 150 homes.

The Tibetan Autonomous Region government has launched an emergency response system and at least 700 rescuers are at the site. Health workers are examining villagers and sanitising the area to prevent epidemics.

Tents, food and water are now being trucked in to the villages hit by the earthquake yesterday after the main road was reopend today.

Many families stayed outside or in tents last night because they were afraid that their already damaged houses may tumble.

Chinese troops stationed in Lhasa were among the first to arrive after the quake. They helped people out of the ruins and pulled out dead bodies.

An earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale jolted Damxung, 82 km from Lhasa yesterday afternoon. The epicentre of the quake was 29.8 degrees north and 90.3 degrees east. The area was hit again by an aftershock which measured 5.2 magnitude last night.

The affected area registered nearly 200 aftershocks, including one above magnitude 6.0,triggering further panic.

Ten people were killed and 34 injured in the quake. At least 147 houses collapsed, Xinhua news agency quoted the State Disaster Relief Commission as saying.

Tremors were felt in Lhasa, but no major damage was found in buildings or at historical sites, such as the famed Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple.

Authorities said the Lhasa airport and the Qinghai-Tibet railway were not affected by the quakes.
Source : PTI