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70,000 Homes Collapse in New China Aftershock

69 reservoirs in 'immediate danger'

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted May 25, 2008 8:12 AM CDT

(Newser) – Quake-devastated China suffered yet another major setback today when it was rocked by the strongest aftershock since the May 12 earthquake, Bloomberg reports. At least one person was killed and 400 injured when a 5.8 magnitude quake toppled some 70,000 homes in Sichuan province, according to Reuters. The quake hit as troops laden with explosives were trekking to blow a hole in a dam to relieve flooding pressure triggered by a mudslide into a giant lake.

Authorities hope to lower the level of the lake before the dam bursts, causing a flash flood. China is facing repeated aftershocks as it struggles to also deal with secondary quake disasters like flooding and landslides, epidemics, food and water shortages, and sheltering 5 million displaced people. Some 69 reservoirs are in "immediate danger" of bursting, said a government official.

A man walks among the ruins of collapsed buildings in southwest China's Sichuan Province.
A man walks among the ruins of collapsed buildings in southwest China's Sichuan Province.   (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
An earthquake survivor carrying his belonging leaves his damaged house in Leigu, 17 miles from Beichuan county in southwest China's Sichuan province today.
An earthquake survivor carrying his belonging leaves his damaged house in Leigu, 17 miles from Beichuan county in southwest China's Sichuan province today.   (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
A woman searches in the ruins of her collapsed house in southwest China's Sichuan province today.
A woman searches in the ruins of her collapsed house in southwest China's Sichuan province today.   (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Earthquake survivors wash their belonging at a river near the refugee camp in Yongan town, 19 miles from Beichuan county in southwest China's Sichuan province today.
Earthquake survivors wash their belonging at a river near the refugee camp in Yongan town, 19 miles from Beichuan county in southwest China's Sichuan province today.   (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
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