Rescuers race to save lives as China quake toll nears 600

GlobalPost.com | August 8, 2014

Rescuers are searching for survivors in a quake-hit area in southwest China as the "golden 72 hours" for survival tick away and the death toll rose sharply on Wednesday. Deaths have surged to 589 following Sunday's 6.5-magnitude earthquake in Yunnan Province, including 504 reported in worst-hit Ludian County and 72 in Qiaojia County.

Risks also loom over a growing barrier lake with a water volume of 49.6 million cubic meters, which has led to evacuation of 4,200 residents living on the lower reaches of the Niulan River, located near the junction of Ludian and Qiaojia.

The tremor has also left 2,400 injured and nearly 230,000 relocated and suffering acute water and food shortages. Nine people in Qiaojia were reported missing.

Rescuers and search dogs are working to find the missing people as well as possible unreported casualties, especially in remote, sparsely populated areas.

Rescue operations, hampered by downpours and frequent traffic disruptions, are facing acute time pressures as the likelihood of survivors declines after 72 hours.

Source: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/xinhua-news-agency/140806/rescuers-race-save-lives-china-quake-toll-nears-600