Chinese authorities announced that over 9,000 people died in the earthquake that hit the south-western part of the country, New China informs. At least 900 pupils are believed to be buried alive in two schools in the region after their schools collapsed in the 7.5 magnitude on the Richter scale earthquake.
The quake was also felt in Beijing, Thailand and Vietnam hundreds of miles away. Initially, authorities announced that at least 107 people died while another 100 injured even if many buildings collapsed. The quake was mostly felt in the Sichuan region at local time 14:28 pm (9:28 Bucharest time). The Chengdun airport was closed after the earthquake and phone lines fell in the affected area.
In Beijing, thousands of people were evacuated from high buildings and even those working for the Olympic complex were evacuated. However, no damages were registered. China's President Hu Jintao urged for total efforts to help victims of the earthquake and China's Prime Minister announced that he would go in the region to witness the effects of the disaster.
Thousands of soldiers were sent in the region while emergency teams are ready to intervene at any point. Officials fear that another quake might hit the country again.
US President George W. Bush expressed his condoleances to China and declared that US is ready to offer any assistance requested by the Asian republic.
Amateur video of Sichuan earthquake:
Chinese authorities announced that over 9,000 people died in the earthquake that hit the south-western part of the country, New China informs. At least 900 pupils are believed to be buried alive in two schools in the region after their schools collapsed in the 7.5 magnitude on the Richter scale earthquake.
The quake was also felt in Beijing, Thailand and Vietnam hundreds of miles away. Init
