World | Other World Stories
China finally reveals grim death toll for May earthquake
More than 19,000 people were killed during China's may earthquake, an official said on Friday, giving the first government estimate after nearly six months.
- Agencies
- Published: 08:15 November 21, 2008
Beijing: More than 19,000 people were killed during China's may earthquake, an official said on Friday, giving the first government estimate after nearly six months.
Many children were buried under classrooms that collapsed when a 7.9 magnitude earthquake. Media reports put the death toll to tens of thousands.
Beijing rapidly clamped down on reporting of the deaths, has refused to give a toll for nearly six months and has been trying to silence grieved parents with compensation.
Wei Hong, vice governor of Sichuan province, said the toll was still provisional, and the government had not finished counting.
He did not say whether the total was only students, or also included the many teachers killed with their pupils.
More from Other World Stories
More from World
News Editor's choice
-
Allies quit ruling coalition in Nepal
Political row could trigger months of street protests and violence
-
Qatar blaze 'started at nursery'
Fire killed 19 including 13 children, at Doha’s main shopping centre
-
Jagan jailed over illegal assets
Andhra Pradesh leader accused of corruption, cheating, conspiracy
