[Scukonaher]

Breaking News:
China just had a rather large Earthquake.
Casualties are at a preliminary estimate of 8,500 people and expected to climb.

[Ruiceara]

Lets just hope that casualty estimates are on the high side......and that things aren't any worse for those people.

Thoughts go out to them......

[addyta.org]

Eliza's Facebook profile says that she's ok. (she's in Chengdu)

[verybigf]

hope she is. looks like this is worse than the great Tangshan earthquake in the last century or so.

[robstamps]

hope she is. looks like this is worse than the great Tangshan earthquake in the last century or so.

It's not, but only in relative terms.

Tanshan quake epicenter was in the built-up area. This one's center is in a remote area.

When Tanshan happened, China was still in Cultural Revolution.

Now, China has more material resources; transportation network better; and the government's ability to respond and manage much much improved.

Estimated 250,000 died in Tanshan.

This quake's casualty figure is going to be 1 order of magnitude lower than that.

Having said all these, the enormity of this tragedy cannot be understated.

[dWSOj26H]

But then again even if you have better resources and infrastructures, these are all geographically imbalanced as thousands are being trapped in the remote areas. They are also the ones being cut off from supplies and communication, not enough machines to get rid of the rubbles of a collapsed school that buried kids alive etc, even rescue workers cannot access the far out places with broken roads.

Natural disasters could happen in any countries, and is sad that so many people dying from something they can't prevent.

[UriyVlasov]

Pretty soon, Katrina will pale in comparison to this mega-disaster!

[wpFWNoIt]

Pretty soon, Katrina will pale in comparison to this mega-disaster!

Cyclone Nargis in Burma I think has done that.

At least in China, the government despite its shortfalls has mobilised help for its citizens.

[JesikaFlpk]

At least in China, the government despite its shortfalls has mobilised help for its citizens.

All is good. The Chinese even let some rescue aid team from Japan in.

Burma is acting just like N. Korea. They're definitely going to suffer. Time to sort out their priorities.

[anxpuna]

Thanks for the concern guys. I am doing okay, a little shaken. People are quite scared here. Many people are camping outside, especially at night. Hopefully things will get better soon. Looks like the gov't is doing a good job. It's great so many people are donating. Take care.

[juliannamed]

Thanks for the concern guys. I am doing okay, a little shaken. People are quite scared here. Many people are camping outside, especially at night. Hopefully things will get better soon. Looks like the gov't is doing a good job. It's great so many people are donating. Take care.

The death toll continues to go up. Our thoughts are with you, Eliza.

[interznakinfo]

It is very nice to hear that things are going better.