China's disaster

Death toll expected to climb after midday tremors topple buildings, schools and factories
BEN BLANCHARD
Reuters News Service, with a report from Rod Mickleburgh in Vancouver; Susan Krashinsky
May 13, 2008
CHENGDU, CHINA -- An earthquake devastated southwestern China, killing close to 10,000 people and trapping hundreds of others under schools, factories and houses, while the worst-hit area was still cut off from rescuers today.
The 7.8 magnitude quake, centred in Sichuan province, struck in the middle of the school day yesterday and toppled at least eight schools. Chemical-laden factories and at least one hospital collapsed, trapping hundreds more, state news media said.
The death toll appeared likely to climb in China's worst earthquake in more than three decades as troops struggled on foot to reach the worst-hit area of Wenchuan, some 100 kilometres from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province.
Officials said there was no word from three townships nearest the epicentre in Wenchuan, a hilly county of 112,000 people.