On Monday, the Chinese province of Sichuan was victimized by an earthquake which reached 7.9 on the Richter Scale. There have been over 13,000 deaths, according to news reports released on Tuesday.
One of the most horrific scenes from the tragedy was the destruction caused to a local school. When the quake occurred in the province, which is mainly farming land, rubble and debri collapsed on the school killing as many as 900 children. Parents were seen anxiously waiting outside of the school, hoping their children would eventually resurface. As time went on and a new day dawned, fewer believed any more would survive.
Wang Xiaoni told The New York Times her 56-year-old mother and 5-month-old son were buried in the remains of her apartment building.
“I was outside when the earthquake hit,” Wang Xiaoni, 26, said to The New Tork Times. “I ran back even while the ground was still shaking. Who’s going to help them now?”
In addition to the great devastation of the earthquake, China is also dealing with the difficulties of taking on rescue missions under the country's communist regime. Instead of enforcing strict mandates, Chinese President Hu Jintao is said to be using the response as a way to boost China's image after problems over the last year with Tibet and lead-painted toys.
In a country that is very hesitant to report negative news, China Central Television has been reporting on the quake around the clock, while rescue workers are being sent with cranes to help move concrete and steel. Fortunately, it seems rescuers are easily being allowed to try to recover victims and search for survivors.
"They will use this as a kind of symbol, a demonstration that they can mobilize and respond to tragedies and show a government that is competent and in control," said Adam Segal, an expert on China at the Council on Foreign Relations, to the Associated Press.
Let's hope there are more people found alive in the wreckage during the next coming days.
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