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Aftershocks demolish China homes | Aftershocks demolish China homes |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Two further aftershocks have destroyed more than 420,000 houses in the Chinese region hit by a massive earthquake two weeks ago, state-run media say. | Two further aftershocks have destroyed more than 420,000 houses in the Chinese region hit by a massive earthquake two weeks ago, state-run media say. |
Many of the homes appear to have been empty, but six people are said to have been critically injured in the tremors. | Many of the homes appear to have been empty, but six people are said to have been critically injured in the tremors. |
They came as thousands of people were moved from near a lake formed by landslides, amid fears the water could breach banks and deluge the area. | |
The official death toll from the 12 May quake in Sichuan province is 67,183. | The official death toll from the 12 May quake in Sichuan province is 67,183. |
The Tangjiashan quake lake should be our most urgent task. It is threatening millions of lives in the area Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu In pictures: Lake evacuation | |
About 20,790 people are listed as missing, with more than five million people homeless since the earthquake. | About 20,790 people are listed as missing, with more than five million people homeless since the earthquake. |
As the mountainous region continues to be shaken, 63 people were injured, including six critically, in the latest aftershocks in Qingchuan county, China's state-run Xinhua news agency reports. | |
One of the aftershocks measured magnitude 5.7, according to the US Geological Survey. | One of the aftershocks measured magnitude 5.7, according to the US Geological Survey. |
The same county was strongly shaken on Sunday, wrecking 300,000 more homes, killing eight people and injuring hundreds. | The same county was strongly shaken on Sunday, wrecking 300,000 more homes, killing eight people and injuring hundreds. |
Quake lake threat | |
Meanwhile, about 30 towns were being evacuated from near the newly-formed lake because experts fear the build-up of water at the swollen Tangjiashan lake could burst the banks, deluging the area. | |
The Tangjiashan lake, created by the earthquake, is at risk of overflowing | |
Chinese soldiers have dug a channel to ease pressure from the so-called "quake lake". | Chinese soldiers have dug a channel to ease pressure from the so-called "quake lake". |
They are also using earth-moving equipment and explosives to try to ease pressure on the lake's banks. | |
Landslide debris is holding back some 130 cubic metres (4.6bn cubic ft) of water at the site in Beichuan county. | |
The water level in the lake has now rapidly risen to within 26m (85 feet) of the fragile dam's lip. | |
About 70,000 people have already been moved from nearby Mianyang city, Xinhua said, with a further 80,000 still being moved. | |
"The Tangjiashan quake lake should be our most urgent task," Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu, who is overseeing the relief operation in Sichuan, was quoted as saying by Xinhua. | |
Satellite images reveal a lake forming in Beichuan County See full size images | |
"It is threatening millions of lives in the area downstream and any negligence will cause new disasters to people who have already suffered the quake," Mr Hui said. | |
Landslides triggered by the quake have blocked dozens of rivers in the province, leading to the formation of many new lakes, some of which have already engulfed villages. | |
Storms have been forecast for the region, potentially compounding problems as rain water drains into the lakes. | Storms have been forecast for the region, potentially compounding problems as rain water drains into the lakes. |
Officials have said that reconstruction work in the area is set to take at least three years. | Officials have said that reconstruction work in the area is set to take at least three years. |