Chinese rescue teams have reached the epicentre of Monday's devastating earthquake, Wenchuan county, where an estimated 60,000 people remain missing. A few hundred soldiers and police finally made it through late on Tuesday after being hampered by broken roads and bad weather.
They found 500 bodies within a few hours - but have still not searched many devastated areas. The official death toll is more than 12,000, and looks set to rise sharply. Thirty Chinese troops in the town of Yingxiu, in Wenchuan, rescued 300 injured residents, state news agency Xinhua said.
But of an estimated population of around 10,000, only 2,000 residents were found alive, a local official said. "They could hear people under the debris calling for help but no one could, because there were no professional rescue teams," He Biao said. Read full story on this site..
But of an estimated population of around 10,000, only 2,000 residents were found alive, a local official said. "They could hear people under the debris calling for help but no one could, because there were no professional rescue teams," He Biao said. Read full story on this site..
source: bbcnews.co.uk
