an earthquake which recently rocked the Hebei province in northern China has left nearly 11,440 people injured and 44,000 homeless. Economic losses from the quake have been estimated at us $228 million. Thousands of victims are now facing the bitter cold. The temperature in the quake-affected areas has plunged to -20 o c.
According to Tan Xianfeng, an official at the state seismological bureau, the death toll from the earthquake has gone up to 50. The magnitude of the quake was measured 6.2 at the Richter scale. The impact was so strong that it even rattled buildings in Beijing, which is nearly 250 km away.
It is reported that several buildings across Zhangbei and Shangyi counties, situated north of the Great wall that runs along the rugged terrain of the Yan mountains, have been reduced to rubble.
The official said that the tremor did not have any effect on the wall. The Chinese government has already rushed the aid workers to carry out relief operations. They are working in the affected areas under extreme weather conditions.
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