Beijing subway cars to house earthquake victims

Ten Beijing subway trains that were phased out ahead of the Olympics will be used as makeshift housing over the winter for around 1,200 victims of May's devastating earthquake, domestic media said on Thursday.

A total of 60 subway cars are being retrofitted with bunk beds to house residents of Guangyuan, Sichuan province, said the Beijing Youth Daily.

Millions of people were left homeless by the massive quake, and officials have warned that they face an unusually harsh winter this year, with many lacking sufficient supplies of basics such as quilts.

The subway trains were replaced with newer models as part of an upgrade to Beijing's infrastructure ahead of the Olympics.