US Structural Engineers Depart for China: 22,000 Dead From Sichuan Earthquake

Investigation Begins On M7.9 Earthquake

SICHUAN, China, May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- An earthquake measuring a moment magnitude of 7.9 struck Western China on Monday leaving an estimated 22,000 people dead and thousands more injured. In response, Miyamoto International has dispatched a team of earthquake engineers to China in an effort to assess the structural integrity of existing buildings and infrastructure, collect data, and provide support to clients on damage assessment, loss estimation, and recommendations to mitigate further business interruption.

The quake struck at 2:28 pm local time leaving thousands of children and workers trapped beneath collapsed buildings. The full extent of damage caused by this quake is currently unknown. A reported 80% of buildings in and around the epicenter have experienced significant failures and/or complete collapse. Tom Chan, Vice President of Miyamoto International said, "Due to the extensive use of unreinforced masonry and nonductile concrete construction in this region, heavy damage is wide spread. Added to this is the concentration of population and structures along large rivers where liquefaction is a significant problem. That's why damage is occurring as far away as Chongqing -- 220 miles away."

Miyamoto International will be sending a team to the affected area. Kit Miyamoto, CEO, will be leading the reconnaissance effort and arriving in China today. "The casualty and injury toll is intense and rescue operations are the top priority, but we also need to identify the effect the quake has had and will continue to have on the local and national economy. The implication of this event is significant; an event like this could happen in the United State's Midwest," says Kit.

Miyamoto International provides structural, earthquake and wind engineering services related to the design and strengthening of buildings. Projects sectors include: seismic evaluation and retrofit, education, commercial, civic, corporate, healthcare, and infrastructure. With five offices in California, one in the Portland-Vancouver Area and one in Tokyo, Japan, Miyamoto International is one of the largest and fastest growing structural engineering firms.

For more information contact Heather Landrum with Miyamoto International, Inc. at 916-373-1995. Reference website: http://www.miyamotointernational.com/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Miyamoto International

CONTACT: Heather Landrum of Miyamoto International, +1-916-373-1995

Web site: http://www.miyamotointernational.com/

2008-05-16 19:32:46 0364415 PRNEWSWIRE