Authorities allocate more relief materials to quake-hit Qinghai

BEIJING -- Chinese authorities have allocated more relief materials to northwest China's Qinghai after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit the province early Saturday.

The Ministry of Emergency Management (MEE) and the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration have sent materials including 3,000 tents, 10,000 cotton-padded overcoats, 5,000 quilts, 10,000 folding beds, 1,000 heating devices and 200 make-shift toilets, the ministry said Thursday.

The earthquake, which jolted Maduo county of the Golog Tibetan autonomous prefecture at 2:04 am Saturday, has left 18 injured and disrupted the lives of over 32,000 residents from 26 townships in Golog and the Yushu Tibetan autonomous prefecture.

The MEE launched a Level II emergency response for major earthquakes soon after the quake and sent a work team to direct rescue work and disaster relief.

The central and provincial governments have previously allocated 69 million yuan ($10.78 million) for earthquake relief and distributed materials including coal and heating devices.

Relief works are well underway in the quake-hit region, said the ministry.