Rescuers search for victims in the rubble of a collapsed hospital in Dujiangyan.
People mourn near bodies of relatives killed in earthquake. Photos: Reuters.
The most powerful earthquake to hit China in 30 years has killed at least 10,000 people in south-western Sichuan province, with thousands more trapped. State media said that 10,000 people were thought to be buried in one town alone near the epicentre of the earthquake in Wenchuan County. A team of 1,300 troops and medics has now reached Wenchuan, which was largely cut off by the quake. Premier Wen Jiabao has urged rescuers to work as hard as they can. But rescue efforts are being hampered by heavy rain and badly damaged roads. "People's lives and property safety are the top priorities and many people are still trapped in debris," Xinhua news agency quoted Mr Wen as saying in the disaster relief headquarters near Chengdu. "We must treasure every second and do our utmost to save survivors." China has deployed 50,000 troops to help with relief efforts, 16,000 of whom are already in the area.
