China quake toll soars as rescuers dig deep
15/5/08
The full horror of the Chinese earthquake emerged yesterday as rescuers discovered towns near the epicentre almost wiped out, including one that lost nearly 80per cent of its population. The death toll has climbed well above 20,000, and is rising by the hour as more information comes in from stricken communities. As many as 60,000 people are believed to still be missing in the region near the quake’s epicentre, prompting fears the death toll could rise dramatically.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23699660-25837,00.html
China quake risk to dams, nuclear sites; May 15, 2008; http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23699864-25837,00.html
Damaged dam hampers China rescue
14/5/08
Rescue workers in China faced a new hazard on Wednesday when “extremely dangerous” damage was identified in a dam in Sichuan province as thousands of people remained buried in towns anv illages downstream. Two thousand soldiers have been sent to plug the cracks in the dam and have been told to avoid certain areas due to the risk of the dam being breached and areas flooded. Rescue teams have already been hampered by heavy rains in the two days since a powerful earthquake hit the country’s south-western Sichuan province.
See: http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/05F89E31-2378-4ACE-AEF5-259D4E6FC9FB.htm
Tags: China, Dams, Environment, Nuclear, Toll