Topic
A powerful tremor registering 7.0 on the Richter scale (6.6 according to the US Geological Survey) and a series of strong aftershocks hit near the city of Yaan in southwestern China's Sichuan province on April 20, 2013, causing heavy casualties and losses.
TOPIC
A powerful tremor registering 7.0 on the Richter scale (6.6 according to the US Geological Survey) and a series of strong aftershocks hit near the city of Yaan in southwestern China's Sichuan province on April 20, 2013, causing heavy casualties and losses.
Volunteers have rushed to the quake-hit county of Lushan to donate supplies, lend a helping hand and do whatever good they can, despite calls by authorities not to come.
Volunteers have rushed to the quake-hit county of Lushan to donate supplies, lend a helping hand and do whatever good they can, despite calls by authorities not to come.
All the Hongkongers visiting Sichuan in tour groups when yesterday's quake hit were safe, Travel Industry Council executive director Joseph Tung Yao-chung said.
All the Hongkongers visiting Sichuan in tour groups when yesterday's quake hit were safe, Travel Industry Council executive director Joseph Tung Yao-chung said.
Remarkable tales of courage and survival continued to appear in mainland media yesterday, a day after a magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck Sichuan.
Remarkable tales of courage and survival continued to appear in mainland media yesterday, a day after a magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck Sichuan.
Authorities in quake-hit Yaan city expect most relief materials to reach local people today, amid complaints of not enough government-provided aid.
Authorities in quake-hit Yaan city expect most relief materials to reach local people today, amid complaints of not enough government-provided aid.
The Hong Kong government would seek a HK$100 million fund from the Legislative Council to support relief work in the quake-hit Sichuan province, it announced on Monday.
The Hong Kong government would seek a HK$100 million fund from the Legislative Council to support relief work in the quake-hit Sichuan province, it announced on Monday.
Teenager Zou Hongmei, who was in Yingxiu at the centre of the 2008 quake, said she was so frightened yesterday morning that she burst into tears when she realised she was in another quake. Even though the epicentre of yesterday's quake was over 150 kilometres away, she felt the earth moving.
Teenager Zou Hongmei, who was in Yingxiu at the centre of the 2008 quake, said she was so frightened yesterday morning that she burst into tears when she realised she was in another quake. Even though the epicentre of yesterday's quake was over 150 kilometres away, she felt the earth moving.
Premier Li Keqiang ordered rescuers, the military and local-government officials to work together and make the most of the critical first 24 hours following such a disaster to save lives.
Premier Li Keqiang ordered rescuers, the military and local-government officials to work together and make the most of the critical first 24 hours following such a disaster to save lives.
Dissident Huang Qi, who was jailed for three years after investigating the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, said yesterday he was turned away from rescue work in the quake zone because authorities were wary of his past activism.
Dissident Huang Qi, who was jailed for three years after investigating the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, said yesterday he was turned away from rescue work in the quake zone because authorities were wary of his past activism.
Hong Kong is responding quickly with help for the victims of the Sichuan earthquake. Major non-governmental organisations sent staff to the affected area to assess the situation and are mobilising supplies and resources.
Hong Kong is responding quickly with help for the victims of the Sichuan earthquake. Major non-governmental organisations sent staff to the affected area to assess the situation and are mobilising supplies and resources.
Military analysts said domestic-made rescue helicopters lack the ability to carry heavy loads and are less capable at handling extreme weather conditions. Some chalk the disparity up to Beijing's focus on the development of advanced fighter jets and other general-purpose planes.
Military analysts said domestic-made rescue helicopters lack the ability to carry heavy loads and are less capable at handling extreme weather conditions. Some chalk the disparity up to Beijing's focus on the development of advanced fighter jets and other general-purpose planes.
As relief materials pile up at major rescue centres in quake-hit areas of Sichuan province, villagers from rural communities are complaining they have been forgotten by the government. "It's been four days, four days. I haven't seen any government official bother to ask us how we have been coping," said 66-year-old Chen Zhongfen, from Shengli village in Taiping township, in an outlying part of Lushan county.
As relief materials pile up at major rescue centres in quake-hit areas of Sichuan province, villagers from rural communities are complaining they have been forgotten by the government. "It's been four days, four days. I haven't seen any government official bother to ask us how we have been coping," said 66-year-old Chen Zhongfen, from Shengli village in Taiping township, in an outlying part of Lushan county.
In stark contrast to the Great Sichuan Earthquake five years ago, the central government and the army showed yesterday that they could respond quickly to natural disasters. And volunteer groups said they were better equipped to help out.
In stark contrast to the Great Sichuan Earthquake five years ago, the central government and the army showed yesterday that they could respond quickly to natural disasters. And volunteer groups said they were better equipped to help out.
When retired journalist Zhou Xiaoxiang started a WeChat group on Friday, he had no idea it would set in motion rescue efforts for an earthquake the next day. Half a week later, more than a hundred charities, activists and donors have joined the conversation, which has turned into an umbrella organisation for NGOs and co-ordinates local donations for earthquake victims in Sichuan.
When retired journalist Zhou Xiaoxiang started a WeChat group on Friday, he had no idea it would set in motion rescue efforts for an earthquake the next day. Half a week later, more than a hundred charities, activists and donors have joined the conversation, which has turned into an umbrella organisation for NGOs and co-ordinates local donations for earthquake victims in Sichuan.
Mainland insurers are poised for profit growth in the second quarter, with insurance claims after the recent Yaan earthquake not expected to be high, while investment returns and premium income are likely to improve.
Mainland insurers are poised for profit growth in the second quarter, with insurance claims after the recent Yaan earthquake not expected to be high, while investment returns and premium income are likely to improve.
Secondary disasters such as mudslides and dam-related crises may occur in the days or even months after Saturday's earthquake, threatening the safety of residents and rescuers, geologists warn.
Secondary disasters such as mudslides and dam-related crises may occur in the days or even months after Saturday's earthquake, threatening the safety of residents and rescuers, geologists warn.
A Hong Kong rescue squad has been put on standby to help in search and rescue operations while relief funds will also be arranged soon, the city's government has pledged.
A Hong Kong rescue squad has been put on standby to help in search and rescue operations while relief funds will also be arranged soon, the city's government has pledged.
Chinese internet users exposed on Tuesday, that a noodle shop in Yingjing County had raised prices of their popular dandan noodles from an original five yuan per bowl, to 20 yuan per bowl.
Chinese internet users exposed on Tuesday, that a noodle shop in Yingjing County had raised prices of their popular dandan noodles from an original five yuan per bowl, to 20 yuan per bowl.
The national Red Cross Society will reopen an investigation into a scandal that rocked mainland charitable bodies two years ago. Public confidence in the organisation has plunged, prompting a university student in Hong Kong to post an open letter earlier in the week asking first lady Peng Liyuan to take the reins of the society.
The national Red Cross Society will reopen an investigation into a scandal that rocked mainland charitable bodies two years ago. Public confidence in the organisation has plunged, prompting a university student in Hong Kong to post an open letter earlier in the week asking first lady Peng Liyuan to take the reins of the society.
DAY ONE: When photographer Simon Song and I arrived in Chengdu on Friday night for a five-day trip to revisit the worst-hit areas of the May 12 earthquake of 2008, the last thing we expected was to be there for the live reporting of a new one.
DAY ONE: When photographer Simon Song and I arrived in Chengdu on Friday night for a five-day trip to revisit the worst-hit areas of the May 12 earthquake of 2008, the last thing we expected was to be there for the live reporting of a new one.