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Earthquake in China’s death count mounts

Thursday, 15 May 2008

Earthquake in China’s death count mounts

The earthquake that hit China on Monday has killed over 50,000 people and the death count is still mounting as rescue efforts continue and bodies are found.

As many as 10 million people across the Sichuan province have been endangered by the 7.9 quake, reports say, and 30,000 extra troops are being deployed in Sichuan to help the 50,000 already carrying on rescue operations.

China has agreed to accept foreign aid and Japan and its rival country Taiwan are amongst the sources of help.

The death toll, which had risen from 14,866 on Wednesday, is expected to be much higher when workers have finished searching in the buildings demolished by the quake.

But there are survivors and three-year-old girls as well as a pregnant woman were discovered alive on Wednesday and rescued.

The government of China has appealed for public donations of equipment to help in the rescue bid and hammers, cranes, shovels and rubber boats were among items needed.

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