China death toll 20,000 and rising

Conditions at the epicentre suggest even this is an underestimate.

The Chinese government has appealed for tents, food and satellite phones as it struggles to cope with the aftermath of the earthquake that has destroyed towns and villages across Sichuan province.

Chinese state media reports that there are still remote towns which are completely cut off with 20,000 people thought to be in need of supplies or rescue, including several thought to be trapped in mines. This is despite the 116,000 troops working to deliver aid.

Over three days after the Sichuan quake, there are still a few people being pulled alive from the rubble. But with so many dead and many schools collapsed, anger is mounting against the authorities.

As our Diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Rugman reports, there is now concern for the safety of 391 reservoirs and dams in the region.

Some of the images in this report might be distressing.

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