Chinese officials evacuate more than 150,000
420,000 buildings have been destroyed in recent aftershocks
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More than 420,000 homes have collapsed in south-west China following two aftershocks in the region reeling from last week's 7.9 magnitude earthquake. |  |
Wednesday, 28, May 2008 09:48
Chinese officials have evacuated more than 150,000 people living below a lake formed by the recent earthquake amid fears in could burst and trigger mass flooding.
The Tangjiashan lake was formed when landslides two weeks ago blocked the Jianjiang river above the town of Beichuan.
More than 600 engineers and soldiers are working on a diversion channel from the lake, but reports suggest they are not due to complete the task until June 5th.
The official death toll from this month's earthquake currently stands at more than 67,000, with 21,000 people still listed as missing.
It was announced yesterday that 420,000 houses have been destroyed by recent aftershocks.
Japan's Jiji news agency claims today that China has asked Japan to send its military to help with aid operations.
On Tuesday, China's prime minister Wen Jiabao claimed the handling of the numerous newly-formed lakes across the earthquake zone was the "most pressing" task facing the support workers.