China's quake survivors fear aftershocks, cold weather

STORY: At least 137 people died while a dozen people remained missing after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck a remote and mountainous area near the border straddling Gansu and Qinghai provinces, a minute before midnight on Monday (December 18).

Survivors face uncertainty in the wintry months ahead without permanent shelter.

"It's really cold, you know. Many people escaped from their homes (during the quake), some without socks on, they just ran out barefooted. It was extremely cold, standing on the ground. And the men tried to gather firewood to keep us warm, so at least we have some comfort," said Zhou Habai.

According to another survivor, Ye Zhiying, about 60 percent of the survivors don't even have a tent yet. Ye said officials told them more tents were being distributed today.

More than 207,000 homes were wrecked and nearly 15,000 collapsed in Gansu, affecting more than 145,000 people. Many of the affected families are Hui people, an ethnic minority mostly found in western Chinese provinces and regions.