China's 1st female quake rescue team dispatched for relief

Photo: People.com

Photo: People.com

(ECNS) – On the morning of Aug 5, several female rescuers entered a pile of debris in a town called Longtoushan in quake-hit Ludian, Yunnan province. One of the women spotted some clothing buried in the rubble. They started digging for survivors and finally pulled out the body of a child.

They are China's first female earthquake rescue team set up last September. They were dispatched to Ludian after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake jolted the county on Aug 3.

Female rescuers are thought by some to be more detail-oriented, which can help them detect traces of life more easily. It may also be easier for women to establish a rapport with survivors and victims' families and offer help.

Tian Hongjiao is one of the women. She said she often forgets her weariness because all she thinks about is saving lives.

Saving lives "is my mission," said Tian, whose face is covered by dust and ashes.

The quake had claimed 589 lives as of Wednesday morning, according to the provincial civil affairs department.