earthquake kills hundreds in western china

What the hell is up with all these earthquakes? A series of strong earthquakes struck a mountainous Tibetan area of western China on Wednesday, killing at least 400 people and injuring more than 10,000. Many more people are still trapped, and the toll is expected to rise: Quake in western China kills 400, buries more.

Paramilitary police used shovels to dig through the rubble in the town, footage on state television showed. Officials said excavators were not available and with most of the roads leading to the nearest airport damaged, equipment and rescuers would have a hard time reaching the area. Hospitals were overwhelmed, many lacking even the most basic supplies, and doctors were in short supply.

Downed phone lines, strong winds and frequent aftershocks also hindered rescue efforts, said Wu Yong, commander of the local army garrison, who said the death toll "may rise further as lots of houses collapsed."

With many people forced outside, the provincial government said it was rushing 5,000 tents and 100,000 coats and blankets to the mountainous region, at around 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) -high and where night time temperatures plunge below freezing.

Workers were racing to release water from a reservoir in the disaster area where a crack had formed after the quake to prevent a flood, according to the China Earthquake Administration.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the largest quake was recorded as magnitude 6.9, centered on Yushu county in the southern part of Qinghai province. The USGS recorded six temblors in less than three hours, and all but one registering 5.0 or higher. More here: 'Terrible earthquake' kills hundreds in China.