Earthquake Kills 10-thousand in China

Josh Pringle
Tuesday, May 13, 2008

The search continues for survivors after a powerful earthquake toppled buildings, schools and chemical plants in China.

Officials say 10-thousand people are dead, and 10-thousand people are estimated to be injured after the 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck 15-hundred kilometres southwest of Beijing.

The worst quake to hit China in three decades collapsed 80 per cent of the buildings in Sichuan's Beichan county.

The quake caused landslides to block roads, and forced soldiers to enter the area near the epicentre on foot.

Buildings swayed in Beijing, and the quake was felt in Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam and Pakistan.

State media reports two chemical plants in Shifang had collapsed, while a three-storey high school collapsed in the town of Juyuan.