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Poorly Built Schools Stood No Chance in Earthquake

Posted May 25, 08 9:56 AM CDT in World 

(Newser) – As a massive earthquake shook Sichuan province, subpar construction turned many Chinese schoolrooms into the mass graves of as many as 10,000 children, the New York Times reports, and grieving parents are pointing fingers at Beijing. The government, aware of the problem, had issued warnings on school safety in the years before the quake—but in many cases, the shoddy buildings remained. “This is not a natural disaster,” said one parent. “They stole our children.”

The Times explores one lower-income school which was reduced to rubble, killing hundreds, parents believe, while posh schools nearby stood strong. Experts said iron rods supporting its structure were poorly made; one called its floor panels “time bombs.” Parents there have begun protests against what they see as corrupt and negligent officials. “I just want to say: the government didn’t do its job,” said one.

Source New York Times

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Local residents bring their children to register to attend classes at a temporary shelter after their school was damaged by last week's earthquake in southwest China's Sichuan province Saturday.   (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
A parent, right, and grandparent hold photos of children killed in an earthquake beside the ruins of the Fuxin No.2 Primary School in Wufu, in China's southwest Sichuan province Friday May 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
A mother holds a picture of her son who was killed in last week's deadly earthquake during a memorial service at a primary school in China's southwest Sichuan province Friday, May 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
Three schoolmates of children who were killed in an earthquake look at photos of their friends at a shrine at the Fuxin No.2 Primary School in Wufu, in China's southwest Sichuan province Friday May 23,...   (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
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China  • children  • earthquake  • natural disaster  • student  • school  • Sichuan province  • construction  • building


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