Shanghai has completed the construction of a super underground bunker that can accommodate 200,000 people in emergency to evade blasts, poisonous gas emission and nuclear radiation, according to local reports.

 

The bunker covers a total area of more than 90,000 square meters. It has 15 passages nearly 4,000 meters in length each to link the underground space with ground buildings and facilities, including office towers and residence departments, the Shanghai Morning Post reported on Saturday.

 

Once an inlet or exit is blocked, the people hiding in the underground bunker can choose any other one to go in or out. In addition, the bunker is connected with subways, which can help people flee from one district to other districts in Shanghai, the report said.

 

The people in the bunker may avoid the harms brought by disasters taking place on the ground, such as blasts, poisonous gas emission and nuclear radiation, the Shanghai Morning Post quoted an official of the Civil Defense Office as saying.

 

Water, power and ventilation systems in the bunker are capable supporting people to hide for seven to 15 days in safety, the official said.

 

In peaceful times, some parts of the bunker can be used as garages, warehouses or commercial facilities, the official said.

 

Shanghai, the economic hub and financial center of China, has now a population of about 17.78 million with a city area of about 5,155 square kilometers.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2006)