Number of victims mount in aftermath of an earthquake measuring 7.8 in south-west China
In China, at 3pm their time yesterday, an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the richter scale hit the Wenchuan county in Sichuan Province. Xinhua agency is quoting 5000 dead and thousands more injured.
Tuesday 13 May 2008
The central government has set up an emergency team, and Premier Wen Jiabao has gone to Sichuan province to give his support. Chinese troops have also been sent to help with the disaster relief.
Zhang hong, Director of Support Services for Save the Children in China said: "Save the Children is working closely with the International Red Cross and the Ministry of Civil Affairs monitoring the situation. It is awful to see that, just as in Pakistan in 2005, children have been caught victims in their own schools where they expect to be safe. Our monitoring is to ensure that rescuing these children is the utmost priority. Having worked in an earthquake response in this province before in 2001, we would be well prepared to step in if it's needed."
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