Chinese PM: Quake death toll more than 60,000, could rise to 80,000 or more

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
China's earthquake death toll has passed 60,000 and could rise to 80,000 or more, Premier Wen Jiabao said Saturday as he and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited the disaster area. Wen's estimate was a sharp increase over the 55,740 deaths reported earlier by the government from the May 12 quake. "The fatalities are over 60,000," Wen told reporters in this badly damaged town near the epicenter of the disaster. "It may further climb to a level of 70,000, 80,000 or more." The announcement came as experts searched for 15 radiation sources buried in the rubble and survivors moved out of possible danger areas downstream from rivers dammed by landslides. With their waters pooling, the blocked rivers could breach the earthen barriers, a danger that would grow with coming rains or aftershocks. Relief workers were grappling with getting tents, food and medical care to the displaced. Wen said the government needs 900,000 tents and it is urging Chinese manufacturers to make 30,000 a day.