7.1 Quake Hits Rural China

At least 589 are dead and 10,000 have been injured after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck south of Qinghai in the far western Tibetan area of China on Wednesday, the Associated Press reports. In less than three hours, the U.S. Geological Survey logged six quakes in the region, all but one with a magnitude of 5.0 or higher. The region is home to about 100,000 people, largely farmers and herders. The quake flattened houses made of mud and wood—the town of Jiegu reportedly lost more than 85 percent of its dwellings—trapping some survivors in the wreckage. Downed power lines and blocked roads leading to the local airport have hampered rescue operations.