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Remembering the deadly 1976 earthquake in…

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Tangshan, China was hit with two enormous blows in 1976 when at first a 7.8 magnitude quake shook the area to the ground, followed by an aftershock of identical strength. An estimated 242,000 people perished as a result of the natural disaster. Unfortunately, the Chinese government refused any outside aid for the relief efforts.
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Tangshan, China was hit with two enormous blows in 1976 when at first a 7.8 magnitude quake shook the area to the ground, followed by an aftershock of identical strength. An estimated 242,000 people perished as a result of the natural disaster. Unfortunately, the Chinese government refused any outside aid for the relief efforts.

Remembering the deadly 1976 earthquake in China’s Tangshan City

New York Daily News
By | NYDN@medianewsgroup.com
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
The Tangshan earthquake of 1976, measuring between 7.8 and 8.2 magnitudes on the Richter scale, is thought to be the deadliest earthquake in the 20th Century as it killed an estimated 242,000 people when it hit China on July 28, 1976.
Tangshan, China was hit with two enormous blows in 1976 when at first a 7.8 magnitude quake shook the area to the ground, followed by an aftershock of identical strength. An estimated 242,000 people perished as a result of the natural disaster. Unfortunately, the Chinese government refused any outside aid for the relief efforts.
Tangshan, China was hit with two enormous blows in 1976 when at first a 7.8 magnitude quake shook the area to the ground, followed by an aftershock of identical strength. An estimated 242,000 people perished as a result of the natural disaster. Unfortunately, the Chinese government refused any outside aid for the relief efforts.
The quake is believed to be especially costly in terms of lives lost as most people were asleep in their beds at the time of the deadly disaster, rather than outside in the relative safety of the streets. In the wake of the tragedy, people are pictured searching for survivors in the rubble in Tangshan City.
The quake is believed to be especially costly in terms of lives lost as most people were asleep in their beds at the time of the deadly disaster, rather than outside in the relative safety of the streets. In the wake of the tragedy, people are pictured searching for survivors in the rubble in Tangshan City.
The devastating earthquake damaged buildings in Beijing, 180km away from Tangshan. The Chinese government was ill-prepared for a disaster of this scale. Some 100,000 soldiers were ordered to Tangshan, but many had to march a distance of more than 180 miles to reach the city.
The devastating earthquake damaged buildings in Beijing, 180km away from Tangshan. The Chinese government was ill-prepared for a disaster of this scale. Some 100,000 soldiers were ordered to Tangshan, but many had to march a distance of more than 180 miles to reach the city.
A before and after shot of Tangshan City pictured in the wake of the deadly disaster in 1976 (top) and after in 2016, shows how far the city has come.
A before and after shot of Tangshan City pictured in the wake of the deadly disaster in 1976 (top) and after in 2016, shows how far the city has come.
Tangshan railway station is pictured after the deadly quake in 1976 and again on Sept. 27, 2014 showing the new railway station of Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province.
Tangshan railway station is pictured after the deadly quake in 1976 and again on Sept. 27, 2014 showing the new railway station of Tangshan, north China’s Hebei Province.
In the first unofficial, uncensored photos of Tangshan, the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake is captured. The quake started fires and ignited explosives and poisonous gases in Tangshan's factories.
In the first unofficial, uncensored photos of Tangshan, the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake is captured. The quake started fires and ignited explosives and poisonous gases in Tangshan’s factories.
A crushed railway coach is pictured abandoned in the industrial city of 1 million people.
A crushed railway coach is pictured abandoned in the industrial city of 1 million people.
Workers start rebuilding work following earthquake damage in the Chinese city of Tangshan, 100 miles east of Pekin, with a wrecked train carriage behind them.
Workers start rebuilding work following earthquake damage in the Chinese city of Tangshan, 100 miles east of Pekin, with a wrecked train carriage behind them.
Troops and relief workers lacked the kind of heavy rescue training necessary to efficiently pull survivors from the rubble. Looting was also epidemic.
Troops and relief workers lacked the kind of heavy rescue training necessary to efficiently pull survivors from the rubble. Looting was also epidemic.

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