China sends work teams to quake-hit areas in Yunnan, Qinghai

BEIJING — Two work teams have been dispatched to quake-hit areas in the Chinese provinces of Yunnan and Qinghai, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) on May 22.

The ministry initiated an emergency disaster relief response soon after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit Maduo county of Golog Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Northwest China's Qinghai province at 2:04 am Beijing Time on May 22.

A work team was dispatched to Qinghai by the ministry and China Earthquake Administration to check the disaster situation and direct rescue work and disaster relief, said the MEM.

The epicenter, with a depth of 17 km, was located at an area about 4,230 meters above sea level, with a sparse population, according to the ministry.

The earthquake occurred in pastoral areas, where brick and wood bungalows are mostly scattered, which may cause damage to a small number of houses, said the MEM, and the disaster situation is being further verified.

At least one person was killed and 22 others injured as of 3 am on May 22 after a 6.4-magnitude earthquake jolted Yangbi at 9:48 pm (Beijing Time) on May 21, the MEM reported.

A work team has also been sent to the area.