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UN head visits China quake zone Chinese quake toll passes 60,000
(40 minutes later)
The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has arrived in the Chinese province devastated by the quake that officials now say killed more than 60,000 people. The death toll in the recent earthquake in south-west China has passed 60,000 and could rise to 80,000 or more, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has said.
He met Premier Wen Jiabao in Sichuan province to witness the devastation and relief efforts in the town of Yingxiu, near the epicentre of the 12 May quake. Mr Wen was speaking in the town of Yingxiu, which was reduced to rubble in the 12 May quake, as he visited with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
There, Mr Wen announced the revised toll and said it could rise to 80,000. Mr Ban said the UN was ready to provide further support for the relief effort. He flew to China from Burma, where he urged leaders to allow foreign aid workers to help cyclone victims.
Mr Ban had flown 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 onQUAKE STATISTICS See a detailed map of quake zoneSichuan tourist trail in ruinsTown mourns as search goes on
Mr Ban's visit is supposed to "express his care for those who suffered" in the earthquake, the state news agency, Xinhua, reported.Mr Ban's visit is supposed to "express his care for those who suffered" in the earthquake, the state news agency, Xinhua, reported.
The secretary general said people all over the world would stand beside the Chinese people and work together to deal with the disaster.
"If we work hard we can overcome this," he said, quoted by the Associated Press news agency.
"The whole world stands behind you and supports you."
More than five million people have been left homeless by the disaster.More than five million people have been left homeless by the disaster.
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. On Friday, the vice-governor of Sichuan, the worst-hit 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.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.The government has also told Chinese banks to forgive debts owed by uninsured survivors to revive Sichuan's economy.
New threatNew threat
Meanwhile, concern is growing over a number of new lakes formed by the force of the earthquake.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 imagesSatellite 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.Thirty-four lakes were created in the province when landslides blocked rivers, Xinhua news agency said.
Eight held more than three million cubic metres of water and one lake, less than 3km (two miles) from Beichuan town, had doubled in size in four days.Eight held more than three 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.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.Forecasters predict heavy rain in the region next week, which could further raise the water levels in the lakes.


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