Quake-hit town may be moved to safer ground

As rescue and relief work comes to an end, experts suggested the reconstruction of quake-hit Ludian county, Yunnan province, should be on higher ground to avoid future geological disasters.

"The county lies in an active earthquake belt surrounded by mountains where geological disasters will cause huge casualties and economic losses," said Luo Fuqiang, an earthquake engineer expert who was with the Yunnan provincial rescue team.

Luo added that post-quake reconstruction should consider the sustainable development of the region and build residents a new town on higher land, Kunming Times reported on Monday.