Strong Aftershock Causes More Damage in Earthquake-Hit China

[tekisui]

China's state-run news agency says a strong aftershock has struck near the epicenter of Monday's earthquake, as authorities have increased the official death toll.

Xinhua says the 5.9 aftershock in Lixian county Friday, triggered landslides that cut off roads and buried vehicles.

The aftershock is likely to further hamper search-and-recovery efforts, as chances of finding survivors in the rubble of this week's initial quake diminish with each hour.

Foreign rescue teams are arriving in China to assist the 130,000 troops deployed in the affected areas. Several members of a Japanese rescue squad arrived in today, with more due later.

Emergency teams from Russia, South Korea and Singapore are also heading to China.

Officials in Sichuan province, the area hardest hit by the quake, now say more than 21,000 people were killed.

The death toll is expected to rise to as many as many as 50,000 people.

more at link: http://voanews.com/english/2008-05-16-voa12.cfm