China Earthquake: Un Chief Visits Disaster Zone As Toll Reaches 60,000

The death toll from the earthquake in China has reached 60,560 and could rise to as high as 80,000 or more, the government confirmed today, as Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary General, visited the quake region.

Ban Ki-moon flew to Yingxiu, about 40 miles southeast of the epicenter in Sichuan province, where he met with Premier Wen Jiabao and promised to help with reconstruction.

"If we work hard, we can overcome this," he said. "The whole world stands behind you and supports you."

At the same time, experts searched for 15 radiation sources buried in the rubble and survivors moved out of possible danger areas downstream from rivers dammed by landslides.

Officials also confirmed that thousands of injured earthquake victims would be moved to neighboring provinces as Sichuan's hospitals struggle to avoid being overwhelmed by the disaster.

Rescue workers continued to find survivors in the rubble. Two more were pulled out more than 216 hours after the quake. A further 26,221 people were missing in Sichuan, where the authorities said their priority is saving lives.

But with the immediate emergency period over, efforts are under way to improve conditions for survivors, many of whom face years of homelessness and hospital treatment.

The health ministry said 288,000 people had been injured but just half of the 59,394 who needed hospital treatment had been discharged as of May 21.With many wards overcrowded, Sichuan has asked for help. The vice-governor of Sichuan, Li Chengyun, told China's media that 8,000 to 9,000 of the injured would soon be moved to Guangzhou, Chongqing, Nanjing, Shanghai, Kunming and Xi'an.

Many require long-term treatment. At the Chengdu No 3 People's Hospital, orthopedist Dr Liang Wei said 80% to 90% of quake patients had suffered broken bones, internal injuries or trauma. Among them was 16-year-old Yang, who had his right leg amputated after he had climbed out of the debris of Juyuan middle school, where fewer than 300 of the 1,600 students survived.

The 5 million homeless will also have to move from the makeshift refugee camps and tent communities where they now seek refuge. The government still needs 900,000 tents and is urging manufacturers to make 30,000 a day.

Li said the province aims to rebuild roads and cities within three years, but even if this ambitious schedule can be achieved, temporary housing and clean water would be needed in the short term.

According to the state media, Premier Jiabao, has decided not to rebuild the county capital of Beichuan. The rubble would be left as a memorial.

Concerns now remain about three dozen lakes formed by landslides. With the rainy season due next month, there are fears the giant pools could flood areas below. Hu Bing, the deputy director of the Sichuan water resources bureau, said: "If there is a strong aftershock or a strong thunderstorm, there is the danger of collapse."

The Chinese media continued with blanket coverage of the quake, despite tighter reporting restrictions. Among the most remarkable stories yesterday ran under the headline, "Legend!". Taoqi, 60, has reportedly emerged from the rubble of an earthquake twice. The only survivor from an office building collapse on May 12, he was also rescued 10 days after the 1976 Tangshan quake that killed at least 240,000, the Nanjing Morning Post said.