Rescuers in Desperate Race to Find China Earthquake Survivors [News]
SHANGHAI, China--Rescue workers are using microphones and fiber-optic cable to probe rubble, searching for people trapped in Monday's devastating earthquake in Sichuan Province. Specially trained dogs are being used to lead crews to areas where humans may be buried beneath slabs of concrete, and workers gingerly sift through the wreckage, hoping for survivors. The death toll has reached nearly 15,000 and at least 25,000 are missing, with time running out to rescue them.In addition to trying to save injured survivors, physicians here are preparing for another challenge: possible viral outbreaks or other epidemics. The pipes that carry water in many of the cities of Sichuan have been destroyed or damaged, including the famous World Heritage Site irrigation waterworks of Dujiangyan, exposing them and drinking water to contamination. Many survivors are sleeping outdoors for fear of aftershocks--a powerful one ripped through the province on Tuesday that measured 6.1 on the Richter scale--exacerbating the poor sanitation situation. [More]