Al Jazeera correspondent Melissa Chan reports from Sichuan on the rescue efforts following China's deadly earthquake. ...china earthquake disaster

The most powerful earthquake in 30 years devastated the southwest of the country.
Rescue teams are digging through rubble, trying to reach survivors of a powerful earthquake in China. Bodies covered with sheets lined streets yesterday as rescue workers dug through schools and homes turned into rubble. The total number of casualties remains unknown as heavy storms prevented relief workers from reaching victims at the epicenter of the powerful quake. The official death toll rose to more than 12,000 in Sichuan Province alone, with thousands remained buried or missing.

There was concern today for a group of 15 British tourists missing in the Chinese earthquake.The quake was centered just north of the Sichuan provincial capital, Chengdu, tearing into urban areas and mountain villages.In Mianyang City alone near the epicenter, 3,629 people were dead and 18,645 were still buried in debris, Xinhua reported.

At least 4,800 people also remained buried in Mianzhu, 100km from the epicenter, Xinhua said, citing local authorities. in Gansu Province, a 40-car freight train derailed in the quake that included 13 gasoline tankers was still burning yesterday, Xinhua said.
In Chengdu, gasoline lines grew and people huddled by TVs in shops and hotels watching the news. Grocery stores shelves were almost empty and the fast food restaurant KFC had run out of food. In Turkey's devastating 1999 earthquake, building codes were excellent, but "fly by night builders" had erected buildings using "extremely poor" materials.
You can buy the building inspector, but you can't buy off the earthquake.

Rescue efforts underway after earthquake
WATCH VIDEO
Source: CCTV.com | 05-13-2008 09:08
Special Report: Strong quake jolts SW China

Local governments affected by the quake have sent rescue teams to provide relief and repair damaged facilities. The central government has also sent rescue teams to the disaster areas.

In some areas near Wenchuan, the quake's epicenter, local governments have started to help with rescue efforts.

In Meishan, rescue teams went to the disaster area to determine the damage and to direct relief work. People's life in Meishan have returned to normal.

Rescue efforts underway after earthquake
WATCH VIDEO
Source: CCTV.com | 05-13-2008 09:08
Special Report: Strong quake jolts SW China

Local governments affected by the quake have sent rescue teams to provide relief and repair damaged facilities. The central government has also sent rescue teams to the disaster areas.

In some areas near Wenchuan, the quake's epicenter, local governments have started to help with rescue efforts.

In Meishan, rescue teams went to the disaster area to determine the damage and to direct relief work. People's life in Meishan have returned to normal.


Rescuers work in Dujiangyan city of southwest China's Sichuan
Province, on May 13, 2008. A major eathquake measuring 7.8 on
Richter scale jolted Wenchuan County of Sichuan Province at 2:28
p.m. on Monday.(Xinhua/Wang Jianhua)




In Dujiangyan some buildings and walls collapsed. The road between Dujiangyan and Wenchuan has been cut off. Rescuers are pulling people out from beneath the rubble.

Some houses have collapsed in Ya'an. Traffic, water, power and communications were cut off in some areas. The Local government has sent emergency supplies such as medicine and tents to the quake-hit areas.

Cracks were also seen on buildings in Bazhong. Power facilities were damaged after the quake. But were restored after two hours of repairs.

Rescue teams are heading to Wenchuan. But the quake has caused multiple landslides and collapses on the road between Wenchuan and the provincial capital Chengdu.

Rescuer Bao Yuhuai said, "We are very anxious. We have tried our best to go to Wenchuan, but we are blocked here. We will set out as long as we can pass through."

A quake witness said, "When I opened the car door, everyone was running up to the hill. There were many rocks. Many houses and cars were damaged."

The quake was felt in Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, where life is as normal except schools are closed