Soldier missing

A soldier was missing after he was hit by falling mountain rocks as he swam across a barrier lake during a rescue mission, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Xie Qiao, of the Yunnan Armed Police Frontier Corps Hospital, was taking part in an operation to evacuate villagers.

Soldiers and other rescuers tried to find him, but the search was hindered by aftershocks, landslides and the rising water level of the barrier lake.

Worldwide condolences

Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Afghanistan, Tanzania, Germany, Belarus and Ukraine are among the many countries that have sent condolences to China following the earthquake, Xinhua reported.

Dozens of heads of state, government leaders and international organizations expressed sympathy for the plight of families in the quake zone.

Many expressed a hope that people will soon be able to resume their normal lives.

80% of power restored

Power has been restored to nearly 80 percent of households at the epicenter after the earthquake cut off electricity in 10 townships, people.com.cn reported.

Yunnan Provincial Electricity Company said it had brought three power stations and 15 distribution lines back into operation by noon on Tuesday.

However an additional 50 generators and eight generator vehicles will be needed to provide power to temporary shelters and field hospitals.

NGO helps with relief

A non-governmental rescue alliance financially supported by film star Jet Li's One Foundation has been assisting with relief efforts in the earthquake zone of Yunnan province.

The alliance's 13 rescue teams, consisting of 83 members, have saved and transferred about 90 injured people and children in the quake-ravaged Ludian county since Monday.

Desperately needed supplies, including 3,000 bags of rice and 3,000 barrels of cooking oil, have also been distributed in the county.

To help victims receive relief supplies as quickly as possible, the alliance recruited about 50 local volunteers to help with the uploading.

Macao donation

Macao is to give 100 million patacas ($12.5 million) to those affected by the earthquake, according to Xinhua.

Chui Sai On, chief executive of Macao, said the region will continue to monitor the relief operation and will provide humanitarian and material support if needed.

(China Daily 08/07/2014 page3)