China

Beijing warns of reservoir threat as time runs out for victims

Article published on the 2008-05-15 Latest update 2008-05-15 15:01 TU

A woman faints after hearing that her daughter was killed when a school collapsed in the earthquake-hit Hanwang town of Mianzhu
(Photo: Reuters)

China says that floods could follow Monday's massive earthquake, as dams threaten to burst. The authorities have raised their estimate of the dead by 5,000 to 19,500. Officials say that chances of finding survivors are shrinking fast but, as Japanese and Taiwanese teams fly in, Beijing is reluctant to accept help from large numbers of foreign aid workers.

Water Resources Minister Chen Lei says there could be "secondary disasters" unless action is taken to ensure the safety of dams, reservoirs and hydropower stations.

"This is especially given the large number of reservoirs in Sichuan province, the extensive damage the quake has caused them and that the level of danger is not clear," he said.

There are more than 400 reservoirs in southern China. The authorities have already opened spillways at the Zipingpu Dam, near the quake's epicentre, to ensure the safety of a nearby city.

With more thatn 40,000 people dead or buried under rubble, hope of finding more survivors is fading. 

"As the destruction was severe and people were buried somewhere deep below ground, there's real trouble," said Zhang Zhoushu, vice-director of the state-run China Earthquake Disaster Prevention Centre.

"If there are some survivours under such conditions, it would be a matter of luck or a miracle," he added.

As a limited number of foreign aid workers are allowed in, Francis Markus of the International Red Cross told RFI that they are encountering "scenes of utter devastation".

"They saw bodies lining the road covered with plastic sheeting with local people trying to identify family members among the dead," he said.

After showing reluctance to allow many foreign aid workers in, China today announced that it will accept help from Japan. And about 80 rescuers from Taiwan, which China sees as a breakaway province, flew in Thursday.