UN China Situation Report No. 1
Ya’an Earthquake – 20 April 2013
(as of 4:30 p.m. Beijing Time)
Key Facts on the 7-magnitude earthquake in Ya’an, Sichuan of China
• A 7-magnitude earthquake hit the Lushan County in the city of Ya’an, Sichuan Province of China, at 08:02 AM on 20 April, Saturday, with a depth of about 13 km.
• The epicenter is calculated to be 30.3 north and 103.0 east, in Longmen Township of Lushan County, which is about 116 km from Sichuan’s provincial capital, Chengdu.
• At least 117 aftershocks have been recorded as of 11:30 am on 20 April 2013, including 26 times over 3.0 magnitudes, 2 times from 5.0 to 5.9 magnitudes, 9 times from 4.0 to 4.9 magnitudes and 5 times from 3.0 to 3.9 magnitudes.
Casualties, damages and loss
• Casualties, damages and losses are still under assessment. As of 16.30 pm on 20 April 2013, 102 people are reportedly dead and over 2,500 injured and many others buried under the debris.
• Almost all local houses are made of wood and earthen walls, almost all of which collapsed as a result of the earthquake. Over 99% of houses in the epicenter, Longmen Township of Lushan County collapsed, while hospitals suspended their work. Over 1.52 million people are affected.
• Infrastructure wise, local roads were badly damaged and dozens of bridges damaged to varying degrees. The quake led to a cut off of power, gas and water.
Government Response
• Premier Li Keqiang took a flight from Beijing to Ya’an at 13.15 on 20 April, to guide earthquake relief activities.
• Ministry of Civil Affairs (MoCA) responded rapidly. As of 20 April 2013, relief items include 32,000 tents, 50,000 quilts and 10,000 foldable beds are delivered to Ya’an. Vice Minister of MoCA Jiang Li and 8 members of National Commission for Disaster Reduction has started for Ya’an.
• The Sichuan provincial Civil Affairs Department has launched level 1 response. It has sent 10,000 tents, 50,000 quilts and 10,000 foldable beds, as well as instant noodles, water, biscuits and sausage of three trucks respectively, to the earthquake affected areas. All civil affairs departments of Sichuan are ready to conduct earthquake relief activities.
• The PLA and armed police have sent over 6,000 soldiers to earthquake affected areas to support fire fighting, rescue and medical relief. Helicopters and scouts are dispatched as well.
• The provincial earthquake search and rescue team of Sichuan and the Sichuan general emergency response team are now in Ya’an for rescue and emergency relief.
• 150 hospital beds are set up at Chengdu Junquzong Hospital to receive the injured people from the earthquake. A rescue team comprising 20 staff members had been dispatched to Ya’an, while a second rescue team with 40 people and a third with 60 people are ready to be dispatched, according to the Hospital.
