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Quake Toll Could Top 50K

Posted May 15, 08 12:39 PM CDT in World    Most Covered

(Newser) – The death toll from China’s devastating earthquake could ultimately top 50,000, Reuters reports. Some 20,000 have been confirmed dead, but Chinese officials fear for tens of thousands trapped under rubble, as rescuers contend with landslides, destroyed roads, and collapsed bridges. But even among those above ground, the multitudes of newly homeless people are beginning to strain the resources of relief efforts.

"There is enough food but not enough water. We have only had bottled mineral water the past few days, nothing to cook with," said a teacher whose school had not collapsed.

Source Reuters

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A vehicle attempts to travel on a damaged road to Hongbai Township after it was just dug out after the landslides in Shifang in southwest China's Sichuan province Thursday, May 15, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Rescuers march into Hongbai Township as the road is blocked by the landslides in Shifang in southwest China's Sichuan province Thursday, May 15, 2008.   (AP Photo)
A man looks over apartment houses destroyed by a devastating earthquake in hard-hit Beichuan county, Mianyang city, Sichuan province, China, is seen Thursday, May 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/Kyodo News, Takanori Sekine)
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