Mission & Justice

28/5/08; http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23771107-12335,00.html

More than 420,000 houses have collapsed in the quake-hit Sichuan province in south-west China after two fresh aftershocks hit the area this afternoon. The Xinhua News Agency, quoting local disaster relief headquarters, said the houses were in Qingchuan County but gave no other details including possible casualties. South-west China has been rocked by dozens of powerful aftershocks after an earthquake on May 12 measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale hit densely populated Sichuan province, killing at least 67,000 people. As of noon on Monday, 182 aftershocks measuring above four on the Richter scale had been recorded in Sichuan, Xinhua said earlier, citing the China Seismological Bureau. Today’s aftershocks measured 5.4 and 5.7 on the Richter scale, state media said earlier, and came within half an hour of one another.

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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.

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