China’s death toll from this weekend’s earthquake topped 19,000 today, and officials fear it could reach more than 50,000. It was the worst earthquake the country has experienced in over three decades, and there are still thousands of people injured and missing.

Homes and schools were left flattened, crushing and seriously injuring thousands of people. Officials say there are still more than 10,000 missing, although many tourists who were traveling through China have been located and are being evacuated.
The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.9, and occurred 55 miles northwest of Chengdu, Sichuan, China. Forty-four counties and districts in Sichuan were hit, and more than half of the 20 million people living there were directly affected.
Bodies were pulled from the debris using backhoes and shovels. They were piled on the sides of roads and later buried in large gravesites. Those people who were injured are waiting for treatment in long lines at whatever hospitals are still functioning, and those left homeless are waiting for temporary housing.
Like Myanmar, China has refused outside assistance. However, Chinese officials finally decided to allow a Japanese rescue team into the country, as well as a 20-person emergency relief team from Taiwan, which will also send a cargo plane filled with tents and medical supplies.
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