CNN) -- A rapid series of strong earthquakes hit a mountainous and impoverished area of China's Qinghai province early Wednesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

At least 67 people were killed, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported, citing the China Earthquake Administration.

Many others, including primary schoolchildren, were feared buried under debris after a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck at 7:49 a.m. local time (7:49 p.m. ET Tuesday), when many people were probably still at home and schools were beginning the day.

The USGS also recorded three strong aftershocks -- of magnitudes 5.8, 5.2 and 5.3 -- all within two hours of the first quake.

"We have to mainly rely on our hands to clear away the debris as we have no large excavating machines," police officer Shi Huajie told Xinhua. "We have no medical equipment, either."


He said dispatched soldiers were setting up tents and transporting oxygen for the injured but affected roads leading to the airport could hamper relief efforts.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs plans to distribute 5,000 tents, 50,000 coats and 50,000 quilts to the earthquake zone, Xinhua said.

The epicenter was located in remote and rugged terrain, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Qamdo, Tibet. Qinghai borders the autonomous regions of Tibet and Xingjiang and the provinces of Gansu and Sichuan.



http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/04/13/china.quake/index.html?hpt=T1


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