China

Aftershock threat terrifies survivors, nuclear facilities "safe"

Article published on the 2008-05-20 Latest update 2008-05-20 10:55 TU

Former residents of a collapsed apartment block in Dujiangyan, Sichuan Province
(Photo: Reuters)

Hundreds of thousands of earthquake survivors spent the night in the open, after fleeing their homes in panic following a television warning that there might be an aftershock of seven on the Richter scale. Residents of the main city, Chengdu, today bought up camping equipment, in anticipation of another night outside. The official death-toll now stands at 39,577.

Shortly after the warning a tremor measuring five hit Pingwu county, about 125 kilometres north of the epicentre of the 12 May quake. There have been more than 150 aftershocks in south-west China since then, with at least three people killed and 50 injured on Sunday.

Rescuers today saved 31-year-old Ma Yuan JIang, who had been under the rubble for 179 hours.

Residents of the southern city of Zunyi also spent the night outside, after thousands of frogs and toads passed through the streets. A similar amphibian migration passed through the town of Mianyang shortly before 12 May, prompting speculation about a connection with the quake.  Forestry officials say the movement is due to the mating season.

The authorities today said that nuclear facilities and radioactive sites in Sichuan are "safe and controllable".  They added that a total of 32 "radioactive sources" had been buried under rubble but that 30 have been recovered, while two have been located and are awaiting transport to safe areas.

On Friday experts at France"s Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) said that there were several nuclear installations not used for the electricity generation near the epicentre, including a manufacturing site for nuclear weapons.

China says that all 32 sites were used for civilian purposes.