Tangshan earthquake: the worst tragedy that claimed thousands of lives
July 28, 1976 at 3:42 local time in the eastern part of China an earthquake measuring 7.8-8.2 on the Richter scale occurred. In the city of Tangshan and its environs, 242,000 people died, 160,000 families lost their homes. It was the largest number of victims in recent history and the third most tragic death in the history of mankind after the earthquake in the Chinese province of Shanxi and Calcutta.
Because of its geographical position between the Indian and Pacific geological platforms, China for many centuries was a zone of great seismic activity. On the eve of the earthquake in Tangshan, strange phenomena were observed - the water level in the reservoirs suddenly rose and fell, in broad daylight rats ran around the city in flocks, chickens refused to eat, and in the evening there were frequent electrical discharges.
At 3:42, when the city was asleep, there was a powerful push — in 23 seconds, 90% of the buildings in Tangshan were destroyed, about a quarter of a million people died, and another 160,000 were injured. In the city, fires began, containers with toxic gases exploded at local enterprises, and electricity and water supply ceased to function. All railways and roads in the city were destroyed.
The next day, by helicopters and airplanes, the city began to dump food and medicine, 100,000 soldiers were sent to the site of the tragedy, most of whom traveled 250 kilometers from the city of Zhinzu, 30,000 medical workers and as many builders on foot.
The Chinese government refused international assistance, but was itself poorly prepared for rescue work of this magnitude. In the first, most critical week, many people died due to lack of medical care, and rescue and search operations were ineffective due to the lack of special equipment and personnel.
Subsequently, the city was rebuilt according to the requirements of seismic resistance and seismic safety - today about two million people live in it. Many experts question the official death toll of 242,000 people and give numbers from 300 to 650,000.
Because of its geographical position between the Indian and Pacific geological platforms, China for many centuries was a zone of great seismic activity. On the eve of the earthquake in Tangshan, strange phenomena were observed - the water level in the reservoirs suddenly rose and fell, in broad daylight rats ran around the city in flocks, chickens refused to eat, and in the evening there were frequent electrical discharges.
At 3:42, when the city was asleep, there was a powerful push — in 23 seconds, 90% of the buildings in Tangshan were destroyed, about a quarter of a million people died, and another 160,000 were injured. In the city, fires began, containers with toxic gases exploded at local enterprises, and electricity and water supply ceased to function. All railways and roads in the city were destroyed.
Photo © jnsm.com.ua
The next day, by helicopters and airplanes, the city began to dump food and medicine, 100,000 soldiers were sent to the site of the tragedy, most of whom traveled 250 kilometers from the city of Zhinzu, 30,000 medical workers and as many builders on foot.
The Chinese government refused international assistance, but was itself poorly prepared for rescue work of this magnitude. In the first, most critical week, many people died due to lack of medical care, and rescue and search operations were ineffective due to the lack of special equipment and personnel.
Subsequently, the city was rebuilt according to the requirements of seismic resistance and seismic safety - today about two million people live in it. Many experts question the official death toll of 242,000 people and give numbers from 300 to 650,000.
