A damaged bell tower is seen in earthquake-hit Mianzhu, Sichuan province, May 15, 2008. The hands of the clock stopped at 1428 (0628GMT), indicating the time when the earthquake occurred, on Monday. The death toll from China's massive earthquake could soar to more than 50,000, state media reported on Thursday, as rescuers struggled to help survivors and hope faded for the thousands buried under rubble. REUTERS/Jianan Yu (CHINA)
A Chinese government spokesman says the confirmed death toll in this week's massive earthquake has risen to almost 29,000. Cabinet spokesman Guo Weimin gave the figure Saturday at a news conference. The government has already said it expects the eventual death toll to surpass 50,000. |