Death Toll Exceeds 12,000 in Sichuan
According to the disaster relief headquarters of the Chengdu Military Command, hundreds of People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers entered Wenchuan county yesterday (May 13) and pulled more than 1,000 people from the debris. The confirmed national death toll reached 12,300 by 2 a.m. this morning (May 14th), nearly all of them in Sichuan, according to the temporary disaster relief headquarters headed by Premier Wen Jiabao. The headquarters also announced that another 9,404 were buried in debris, 7,841 were missing and 26,206 people were injured.

Disaster Relief Supplies Reach Sichuan
The first supply of disaster relief materials valued at over 5 million yuan has been transported to the Sichuan province as of 6 p.m. yesterday. The materials include 1000 tents, drinking water, instant noodles and clothing. The relief supplies were collected within only one day after the earthquake took place in Sichuan. Blood plasma was also transported at 3 p.m. yesterday from Guangzhou to Sichuan. In addition, six medical teams organized by the Guangdong Department of Health left yesterday for the disaster-hit area. The donation of 7 million yuan by Guangzhou Government has arrived in Sichuan.

(photo by gzdaily.dayoo.com)