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Death toll rises in China quake Search for China quake survivors
(about 2 hours later)
The most powerful earthquake to hit China in 30 years has killed at least 10,000 people in south-western Sichuan province, with thousands more trapped. A massive search and rescue operation is under way in south-western China after one of the most powerful earthquakes in decades.
Chinese state media said that 10,000 people were thought to remain buried in one town alone near the epicentre of the earthquake in Wenchuan county. Troops have arrived in Wenchuan county at the epicentre, which was largely cut off by the quake - but heavy rain is hampering rescue operations.
A team of 1,300 troops and medics has now reached Wenchuan, which was largely cut off by the quake. Elsewhere in Sichuan province, frantic efforts are being made to reach thousands of people under the rubble.
But rescue efforts are being hampered by heavy rain and badly damaged roads. The death toll is now nearly 12,000, an official said, and looks set to rise.
Eyewitness in Dujiangyan href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7396502.stm">In pictures: China earthquake Eyewitness in Dujiangyan href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7397566.stm">In pictures: Rescue effort
Premier Wen Jiabao - a trained geologist - had urged rescuers to clear roads into the worst-hit areas as fast as possible. Premier Wen Jiabao was quick to reach the scene, and urged rescuers to clear roads into the worst-hit areas as fast as possible.
"People's lives and property are the top priorities and many people are still trapped in debris," Xinhua news agency quoted Mr Wen as saying in the disaster relief headquarters, north-west of Sichuan's provincial capital, Chengdu."People's lives and property are the top priorities and many people are still trapped in debris," Xinhua news agency quoted Mr Wen as saying in the disaster relief headquarters, north-west of Sichuan's provincial capital, Chengdu.
"We must treasure every second and do our utmost to save survivors.""We must treasure every second and do our utmost to save survivors."
China has deployed 50,000 troops to help with relief efforts, 16,000 of whom are already in the area. name="up">
The health ministry has made an urgent appeal for people to give blood to help the injured.The health ministry has made an urgent appeal for people to give blood to help the injured.
See a map of the earthquake area
The BBC's Michael Bristow, in the badly hit Dujiangyan city, south-east of the epicentre, describes a scene of organised chaos - with dazed survivors in the streets in their pyjamas while police try to direct traffic.
He heard the story of two people whose uncle was trapped in the rubble of his apartment building. They were able to speak to him on his mobile phone, but could not reach him and were desperately searching for help.
Cries for helpCries for help
The quake - now upgraded to 7.9 magnitude - struck on Monday at 1428 local time (0628 GMT) and was felt as far away as Beijing and the Thai capital, Bangkok.The quake - now upgraded to 7.9 magnitude - struck on Monday at 1428 local time (0628 GMT) and was felt as far away as Beijing and the Thai capital, Bangkok.
Boulders and landslides are blocking roads in the worst-hit areas and helicopters have been unable to land because of the bad weather.Boulders and landslides are blocking roads in the worst-hit areas and helicopters have been unable to land because of the bad weather.
class="bodl" href="#map">See a map of earthquake area Beijing has deployed 50,000 troops to help with relief efforts, 16,000 of whom are already in the area.
The 1,300 rescue troops and medics who reached Wenchuan county immediately started searching for survivors and treating the injured, Xinhua reported. The 1,300 rescue troops and medics who reached Wenchuan county immediately started searching for survivors and treating the injured, Xinhua reported. There is no word yet on casualty figures there.
Previously the only contact with the area was when a top official appealed for outside help using a satellite phone. Previously the only contact with the area was when a senior government official appealed for outside help using a satellite phone.
In the nearby town of Mianzhu, 10,000 people were thought to remain buried and massive landslides had buried roads to outlying villages, Xinhua reported.In the nearby town of Mianzhu, 10,000 people were thought to remain buried and massive landslides had buried roads to outlying villages, Xinhua reported.
Across the region, schools, hospitals and chemical plants were all reported to have been affected.Across the region, schools, hospitals and chemical plants were all reported to have been affected.
There were harrowing reports from the scene of a school collapse in Dujiangyan city - south-east of the epicentre - where 900 students were buried and at least 50 killed. There were harrowing reports from the scene of a school collapse in Dujiangyan city, where 900 students were buried and at least 50 killed.
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The moment the quake struckThe moment the quake struck
Teenagers buried beneath the rubble of the three-storey Juyuan Middle School building struggled to break free, while others cried out for help.Teenagers buried beneath the rubble of the three-storey Juyuan Middle School building struggled to break free, while others cried out for help.
Another of the worst-hit areas appears to be Beichuan county, about 50km from the epicentre.Another of the worst-hit areas appears to be Beichuan county, about 50km from the epicentre.
Some 80% of buildings there were reported to have been destroyed, leaving between 3,000 and 5,000 people dead and up to 10,000 injured.Some 80% of buildings there were reported to have been destroyed, leaving between 3,000 and 5,000 people dead and up to 10,000 injured.
Another school collapsed there, leaving more than 1,000 students dead or buried, Xinhua said.Another school collapsed there, leaving more than 1,000 students dead or buried, Xinhua said.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people were reported to have been buried in two collapsed chemical plants in Shifang in Sichuan.Meanwhile, hundreds of people were reported to have been buried in two collapsed chemical plants in Shifang in Sichuan.
More than 150 people were killed in the provinces of Gansu and Shaanxi, and in Chongqing municipality, Xinhua said.More than 150 people were killed in the provinces of Gansu and Shaanxi, and in Chongqing municipality, Xinhua said.
And there are fears for the safety of staff, tourists - including a group of 15 British visitors - and the panda population at a giant panda research centre at Wolong in Wenchuan, which has not yet been contacted.And there are fears for the safety of staff, tourists - including a group of 15 British visitors - and the panda population at a giant panda research centre at Wolong in Wenchuan, which has not yet been contacted.
But 60 pandas at another breeding centre - in Chengdu - are reportedly safe.But 60 pandas at another breeding centre - in Chengdu - are reportedly safe.
'All-out efforts' Open response
US President George W Bush expressed condolences to victims' families, while Japan offered to send aid.US President George W Bush expressed condolences to victims' families, while Japan offered to send aid.
"The Chinese government are to be commended for their quick and efficient response. The UK stands ready to assist," said British Foreign Secretary David Miliband."The Chinese government are to be commended for their quick and efficient response. The UK stands ready to assist," said British Foreign Secretary David Miliband.
RECENT CHINA QUAKES March, 2008: 7.2 quake in Xinjiang - damage limitedFebruary 2003: 6.8 quake in Xinjiang - at least 94 dead, 200 hurtJanuary 1998: 6.2 quake in rural Hebei - at least 47 dead, 2,000 hurt April 1997: 6.6 quake hits Xinjiang - 9 dead, 60 hurtJanuary 1997: 6.4 quake in Xinjiang - 50 dead, 40 hurt How earthquakes happenHistory of deadly earthquakesRECENT CHINA QUAKES March, 2008: 7.2 quake in Xinjiang - damage limitedFebruary 2003: 6.8 quake in Xinjiang - at least 94 dead, 200 hurtJanuary 1998: 6.2 quake in rural Hebei - at least 47 dead, 2,000 hurt April 1997: 6.6 quake hits Xinjiang - 9 dead, 60 hurtJanuary 1997: 6.4 quake in Xinjiang - 50 dead, 40 hurt How earthquakes happenHistory of deadly earthquakes
Several strong aftershocks have been reported since the quake, China's worst since 1976 when 242,000 people were killed in Tangshan.Several strong aftershocks have been reported since the quake, China's worst since 1976 when 242,000 people were killed in Tangshan.
Immediately after the disaster, President Hu Jintao urged "all-out" efforts to rescue victims. The BBC's Quentin Somerville in Beijing says this is probably the most significant natural disaster to hit China in recent memory, but that the Chinese army has a good record of mobilising and getting people to safety.
The BBC's Quentin Somerville says this is probably the most significant natural disaster to hit China in recent memory, but that the Chinese army has a good record of mobilising and getting people to safety.
He also says it is one of the most open and speedy responses to an emergency he has ever seen from Chinese state media.He also says it is one of the most open and speedy responses to an emergency he has ever seen from Chinese state media.
The fact the quake was felt in Beijing, he says, means millions of people will feel connected to the disaster and will be watching TV screens closely to see how the government responds.The fact the quake was felt in Beijing, he says, means millions of people will feel connected to the disaster and will be watching TV screens closely to see how the government responds.
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