China Says Quake Death Toll Could Top 50,000

VOA News | China says nearly 400 dams and reservoirs near the epicenter of Monday’s deadly earthquake were damaged, triggering new worries as Chinese officials warned Thursday that the death toll could top 50,000.The military is in a race against time to rescue tens of thousands believed buried beneath the rubble from Monday’s quake. Officials in southwestern Sichuan province say the known death toll has risen to more than 19,500.

The official Xinhua news agency says troops have been sent to repair cracks in the Zipingpu Dam in Sichuan.  China’s water minister says there are major safety issues with dams, reservoirs, and hydropower stations in the earthquake zone.

More than three days have passed since the 7.9 earthquake struck and authorities admit that hope is beginning to fade for those still buried.  

Xinhua says 44 counties and districts in Sichuan were severely hit and the strains from tens of thousands left homeless are growing. Some homeless residents are now beginning to complain about the government’s response time and lack of emergency supplies.

The government has sent some 130,000 troops to Sichuan and deployed 101 more helicopters to airlift victims and drop emergency supplies to quake survivors. 

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies have issued an emergency appeal for medical help, food, water and tents. World Bank President Robert Zoellick said the institution was ready to help the Chinese government with recovery and reconstruction.

Landslides that once blocked access to the hard-hit areas of Wenchuan and Beichuan County have now been cleared, allowing hundreds of workers to finally reach the areas.

The Chinese government has made a rare public appeal for donations of equipment to help with the rescue effort, such as hammers and shovels. Some rescuers have been digging through mountains of rubble with nothing but their hands.

Thursday, a professional emergency relief team from Japan left for China’s earthquake-hit areas. The 30 member team will arrive in Sichuan’s provincial capital, Chengdu, Friday and appears to be the first foreign rescue team to be allowed to help out on the ground.

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