China death toll rises

The death toll following yesterday’s powerful earthquake in China has reached at least 10,000 with many more people still trapped.



In one county alone, 80 percent of the buildings collapsed, and up to 5,000 people were killed.



Officials said there is still no news from the towns at the epicentre, which have a total population of more than 24,000.



President Hu Jintao has urged all-out efforts to rescue victims, and has ordered troops to help with disaster relief work.



The number of death from the 7.8 magnitude earthquake is expected to rise once contact is made with Wenchuan County, which was at the epicentre of the shock.



Telephone lines to the area are down, and roads blocked by fallen rocks and boulders.



Torrential rains have also prevented helicopters from gaining access.



There is an urgent appeal for relief items including medicine, tents and food through airdrop.