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Uncontrolled fire is the greatest risk of a
large earthquake in an industrialized area

(San Francisco 1906, Alaska 1964, Japan-Kobe 1995)

The great loss of life resulting from

1. the collapse and burning of houses

2. landslides

3.tsunamis, striking a populated shore

No country has suffered greater seismic losses than China: 13 million deaths over the last 3,000 years. 830,000 alone died in one quake in 1556, and 250,000 people in an recent tembler in 1976

Rescue hamperings:

The three-story fire station collapsed onto all fourteen fire vehicles. Nine fire fighters were killed when the stations floors and pillars came crashing down. The city’s southern hospital also collapsed.

Armenia, Columbia, January 25, 1999