China uses web to find loved ones

Last Modified: 15 May 2008
By: Jon Snow, Lewis Hannam

With thousands of people still unaccounted for after the earthquake, Chinese people are turning to the internet in a desperate bid to find loved ones.

Thousands are posting on message boards to try and track down friends and family who have been out of reach since the 7.9 magnitude quake on Monday.

Internet and phone connections in south-west China - the area worst-affected by the quake - had been wrecked by the disaster.

Some of the 'missing' messages include:

- "Mum are you ok? After the earthquake I have not been able to get in touch with you by phone. It's May 13, your phone seems to work, but no-one answers. I don't know whether you are ok? I'm really concerned about you."

- "Dad, mum, uncle, nephew - at the moment they are still outside and can't return home to sleep. I hope they are ok. I hope my family and community can manage to survive these difficulties."

- "My sister in Sichuan, I'm in Cheng Du, where are you - are you safe?"

- "I hope everyone is ok! I hope my little brother is safe!"

On another message board someone even posted a picture of a loved one's car in a bid to track him down. The driver was in at the epicentre of the quake just and hour before it happened.

Aside from the 'missing' messages, posters are also passing on stories of rescue attempts, aid donations, and the government's disaster response.

Many echo the thoughts of one poster who wrote: "Wen Jiabao [the Chinese Premier's right hand man], you are a good man, your swift actions and kindness has touched us all."

Wen Jiabao flew to the disaster zone within hours of disaster to oversee the operation and give words of encouragement.

Elsewhere rumours abound that conditions are so perilous that after the Army sent 150 paratroopers into the centre of the quake, four have since been confirmed dead while contact has been lost with a further 10.

Other posters are criticising the amounts famous Chinese people have given in aid donations to help the survivors

Chinese media reports that NBA basketball player Yao Ming has given £37,000, while actors Jackie Chan and Jet Li have donated £735,000 and £74,000 respectively.

The main focus of anger is Andy Lau, a Hong Kong-based singer and actor who has given £7,400.