50,000 Feared Dead From Quake

Chinese state media are reporting that more than 50,000 people could be found dead as a result of the 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Monday. That’s substantially higher than earlier estimates. The government has already confirmed close to 20,000 deaths.

Unlike Burma, which is also dealing with the aftermath of a major natural disaster, China has been more receptive to help from abroad.

For example, the government has been uncharacteristically open to assistance from Japan and Taiwan, two countries with which it has historically tense relations.

BBC:

More than 50,000 people may have died in the earthquake that devastated parts of China on Monday, state media say.

The warning came after the government confirmed the death toll had risen to 19,500, as rescue efforts continue to search for thousands still trapped.

About 10 million people across Sichuan province have been directly affected by the 7.9 quake, state media said.

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AP photo / Ng Han Guan

Rescue workers pull a young girl from under the rubble of a collapsed school in southwestern China’s Sichuan province.