SA sends condolences to China
Bathandwa Mbola
16 May 2008
South Africa has extended its condolences to the government and people of China following the devastating earthquake that struck the country's Sichuan province on Monday.
"The thoughts and prayers of the government and people of South Africa indeed reach out to the government and people of China and in particular, families of those who have lost their loved ones," said Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
"We also commiserate with those who have lost all their worldly possessions and face displacement at this time."
According to Xinhua Agency, the official estimated death toll from the quake stood at nearly 14 463, unchanged from the previous day. About 10-million people in Sichuan province have been directly affected by the quake, which measured 7.9 on the Richter scale, flattening entire villages.
Another 26 000 are reported to have been still trapped in the rubble.
"The issues of climate change have taken the centre stage in many international fora. The occurrence of this earthquake is a painful reminder of the reality of climate change," Dlamini Zuma said
China is mobilising 30 000 extra troops and 90 more helicopters to help with the rescue operation, with troops and helicopters being used to bring food and water to rescue survivors.
The Chinese government has appealed to the public to donate basic equipment to help in the rescue operation. These included hammers, cranes, shovels and rubber boats.
China's air force, army aviation and civil aviation have all been involved in the air effort since the disaster, Xinhua reported. Elite troops have been parachuted in to isolated or cut off areas and officials say every affected county has now been reached and rescue efforts started.
The quake is the worst to hit China since the 1976 Tangshan tremor in northeastern China where up to 300 000 died.
Offers of aid have come from around the world since the disaster, which occurred three months before the Beijing Olympics. Beijing Olympic officials however assured foreigners planning to visit China for the Games in August that the country is safe despite the earthquake.
Source: BuaNews
