BEIJING - China National Radio is sending 5,000 radios to earthquake-hit Yushu in Northwest China's Qinghai province so the local residents can have access to the latest information about the situation.

"Radios are vital during quakes when other media are often blocked, damaged or unable to transmit. The wireless news brings courage to rescue soldiers, information to the local government and hope to victims," Bao Yun, director of the general affairs office of China National Radio, told China Daily on Thursday.

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu on Wednesday, claiming 617 lives as of Thursday morning, and injuring at least 9,110. The quake also destroyed most buildings and cut communications, Xinhua News Agency reported.