Earthquake of a magnitude 7.8 reported in China *UPDATE* 'to top 50,000' killed

About the French article, typical product of Liberation and other newspapers of the French establishment - totally aligned with the current "president" Sarkozy, himself of puppet of the lobbies. It is indeed odious, typical work of "journalist" Pascale Nivelle, who is based in China (in most other countries she would have at least faced some pressure... I guess China is not the red dictatorship we are made believe it is). The comments however, by normal French citizen, are all critical of this odious propaganda. They made me feel a bit better (I am French).

reply to post by IchiNiSan


Looks like a Mi-26 which I didn't know China operated. It would be superb for heavy lifting/high altitude. Not sure on the avionics fit. But it's alot bigger than a Blackhawk and would be better for evacuating or bringing in supplies.

Edit: A little research shows China has leased a Mi-26 (before the earthquakes)

[edit on 17-5-2008 by _Del_]

reply to post by jhill76


Because of the Aftershocks a normally "small slow quiet" river in a moutain valley a lot of mud and rockslide. These rocks and mud blocked the river, not sure since beginning or after a day or two. So it became some kind of natural dam. However, the water was stocking up and the dam can not hold it. So it is expected that this temporary dam WILL break. Just imagine what will happen with Beichuan lying behind that temporary dam....

This is why the authorities ordered everyone to evacuate and look for higher places.... heartbreaking for rescue workers trying to dig up buried/trapped victims....

There are already over FIVE THOUSANDS aftershocks, and the biggest one they are expecting of 6.5....

Magnitude 6.0 SICHUAN-GANSU BORDER REGION, CHINA
May 17, 2008 at 17:08:25 UTC
Location 32.273°N, 104.984°E
Depth 10 km (6.2 miles)

That's the biggest aftershock in the area since the one that followed the 7.9, on 5/12... it was also a 6.0 (acording to the usgs site).

[edit on 5/17/2008 by RabbitChaser]

reply to post by Anonymous ATS


I'm glad a French (wo)man came forward to reply on this French article, although anonymous posting is still something I will frown a bit upon honestly speaking....Do you know if this so-calle reporter did go to Sichuan to observe the disaster before he wrote this article? Or was he typing this article behind his notebook when watching some CNN and CCTV in his 5-star hotel in Beijing? Interesting enough this "journalist" neglect to mention that the other 11 free CCTV channels are broadcasting the usual shows. It is THE PEOPLE who tune in CCTV1, nobody is forcing anyone to do that.

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Anyhow, if I read the article correctly with my long-time not used French proficiency, then it is the same China bashing I have seen in ATS in recent months and in this very thread and all over the world. Which I as a Chinese patriot already tackled mostly in this thread....

What I do want to add again is that these kinds of "so-called vultures" neglect to mention that full unity of the Chinese people all over the world do not need to be exploited anymore with a disaster killing probably more than 50,000 people! Because this unity is already shown after the Lahsa riot, biased Western MSM reporting and the Olympic torch relay. Which this journalist convenient neglect to mention, making it looks like it is because of this Earthquake which united the Chinese hearts.

Also again to my fellow Chinese and foreign critics, try to check the mountainous terrains by yourself with the thousands of pictures available now. Be aware that there are OVER 5000 AFTERSHOCKS, which many many of those are the strength of Earthquake killing thousands in other disasters. To blame the rescue workers not being able to reach all trapped areas is simply blind to the reality and either too emotional or simply biased.

Yes, I will jump in the fence to defend "MY HEROS" who are saving tens of thousands of lives which might have not been saved if these rescue workers lead by someone with total poewer were not there doing their work day and night. But I will also criticize the people who WILL be held responsible and accountable for what kind of cardhouses they have built.

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And to these vultures now doing their fair share in the anti-China propaganda. You are really embarassing what journalism stands for and will be remembered in history to be one of the major actors in widening the gap between nations and cultures. It is you guys, puppets of the anti-China evil powers, who are creating the hatred between nations and the ordinary people. When it is time for your duty to use this unique disastrious opportunity to help soothening the tides between East and West, you felt the need to continue your crusade. Even Beijing tried to use this period to calm down the recent anti-Western media sentiments by showing a supposed apology letter from the CNN big boss. Or CCTV FROM DAY ONE on dedicating EACH SINGLE DAY apart of the reporting to let the depressed Chinese people know how much supports and sympathy are from worldwide, even by Western media and leaders/politicians. However, these efforts are going to be wasted because there are so many puppets like you in the Western MSM sabotaging it, and continue the anti-China crusades. Well done saboteurs, your masters will be proud of you!





[edit on 17/5/08 by IchiNiSan]

reply to post by RabbitChaser


There was one with 6.1 if I remember correctly.... And today it is predicted that there is a big chance we will see a 6.5 in the coming days....

5000+ aftershocks... really never imagined or knew that it could last so long....

some good news

FIVE days after a huge earthquake hit southwestern China, rescuers pulled at least 63 people alive from collapsed buildings

Xinhua news agency said 57 survivors were rescued in Yingxiu township in Wenchuan County, the epicentre of the 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Sichuan province on Monday afternoon.

Another six people were saved alive also about 120 hours after the devastating quake in other areas, including Beichuan county, Shifang city and Dujiangyan city, the report said.

reply to post by Thurisaz


These are great news, a survivor was rescued being buried for 139 hours (18 May 11:19) I read a moment ago... And now I am going out to have some fresh air with this news and HOPE in mind....

news.sky.com...

The official death toll after the Chinese earthquake has risen to 32,477 as rescue work resumes after a scare from a second tremor.

This horrific earthquake is upgraded fo 8.0.....

The Chinese leaders have announced that more earthquake and natural disasters' related researches need to be done......

From 2008.5.19 to 2008.5.21, three days of national mourning for earthquake victims.

One person buried/trapped for 146 hours is saved!!!

Here are some pictures of Wbchuan before the earthquake....

3 minutes silence past this 14:28 local time and China will mourn for three days.

Danish media has just updated a story about 200 workers claering a road has been burried in a mudslide at a place named Yingxiu.

This is horrible; isn't there no end to the suffering?

More than ever I wish and hope for the Olympics to go ahead as planned. I don't want to believe in no hoax prophecy a la John Titor.

Mudslide buries quake relief workers

More than 200 relief workers in quake-hit south-western China have been buried by a mud flow, the official news agency, Xinhua, reports.

Xinhua said the workers were buried while repairing damaged roads.

Two construction machines and six vehicles also were buried in the mudslides in Sichuan province, Xinhua said, quoting a transport ministry official.

A Sichuan provincial communications department employee confirmed there had been mudslides causing some deaths, but gave no details.

"I know that at least there was a mud-rock flow in Yingxiu. The total death toll is still being counted,'' he said.

Yingxiu was near the epicentre of the quake.

The Chinese Government has declared a three-day period of mourning for the May 12 quake.

It has estimated that the earthquake killed 50,000 people.

More to come.

link

I would love to go over and help out on the ground - where can people volunteer and be sent over to help out?

[edit on 2008-5-19 by primamateria]

Official death toll 34073.

Yesterday we started the three-day long national mourning. All entertainment places or any kind of it have closed the doors. From my contacts I know that this is so wide-spread that all the "special entertainment" KTVs and Sauna places are also closed!

This morning I was told that we should expect a 6 to 7 Aftershock Earthquake

Primamateria, the Chinese government is actually advising the mourning citizens not to go to Sichuan, unless you are a specialist in certain fields, like medical and so on. Volunteers need to apply at local stations, so it can be coordinated accordingly when helping in the disaster. The trouble of coordination rescue teams in a crisis of this magnitude is probably any logistic coordinator worst nightmare, this is also one of the reason why the Chinese government needed to reject many local volunteers and maybe even foreign. You can always make some inquiries at the local embassy or the Red cross.

reply to post by khunmoon


yes, this was a terrible news, the many aftershocks, one expected to be up to 6.5 today is also heart-breaking....

The animals in the quake....

edition.cnn.com...

Even more meaningful to see this short documentary produced by CNN.