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UN head visits China quake zone UN head visits China quake zone
(40 minutes later)
The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has arrived in the Chinese province devastated by the earthquake which killed more than 55,000 people.The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has arrived in the Chinese province devastated by the earthquake which killed more than 55,000 people.
Mr Ban visited Chengdu, in Sichuan province, on Saturday and was also due to visit towns nearer the epicentre of the 7.9 quake, state media reports. From Sichuan province's capital, Chengdu, he travelled to the town of Yingxiu, near the epicentre, to witness the devastation and relief efforts.
More than 5.47 million people were left homeless by the 12 May disaster. More than 5.47 million people have been left homeless by the 12 May disaster.
Mr Ban flew to China from Burma, where he urged its leaders to allow foreign aid workers to help cyclone victims. Mr Ban flew to China from Burma, where he urged leaders to allow foreign aid workers to help cyclone victims.
QUAKE STATISTICS See a detailed map of quake zoneSichuan tourist trail in ruinsTown mourns as search goes on
Mr Ban is also expected to meet Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who is visiting the area for a second time.
Mr Ban's visit is supposed to "express his care for those who suffered" in the earthquake, the state news agency, Xinhua, reported.
On Friday, the vice-governor of Sichuan province, Li Chengyun, appealed for more tents and set a three-year goal to rebuild towns and infrastructure in the region.
China's leaders have promised a 70bn yuan ($10bn; £5bn) reconstruction fund. The government has also told Chinese banks to forgive debts owed by uninsured survivors to revive Sichuan's economy.
New threat
Meanwhile, concern is growing over a number of new lakes formed by the force of the earthquake.
Satellite images reveal a lake forming in Beichuan County See full size images
Thirty-four lakes were created in the province when landslides blocked rivers, Xinhua news agency said.
Eight held more than 3 million cubic metres of water and one lake, less than 3km (two miles) from Beichuan town, had doubled in size in four days.
Officials are monitoring the lakes and have sent experts to assess them, the agency said.
Forecasters predict heavy rain in the region next week, which could further raise the water levels in the lakes.
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