Death toll rises over 10,000 in China quake

The most powerful earthquake to hit China in 30 years has killed at least 10,000 people in south-western Sichuan province, with thousands more trapped. Chinese state media said that 10,000 people were thought to be buried in one town alone near the epicentre of the earthquake in Wenchuan County.Premier Wen Jiabao has called for urgent efforts to reach cut-off areas.

“The situation is worse than we previously estimated and we need more people here to help,” he said.