The Russian Emergency Ministry has offered humanitarian aid for earthquake victims in China after another aftershock hit the south-western province of Sichuan. The latest tremor raises the number of casualties to more than 12,000.
A day earlier a powerful quake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck the region. Many areas are still cut off as rescuers try to save thousands buried under rubble in those areas they’ve been able to reach. Around 1,300 rescue and relief workers have managed to reach the disaster epicentre, which had been cut off for 24 hours. Meanwhile, Russia has sent a rescue plane with hospital supplies and humanitarian aid for earthquake victims. The deadliest quake in three decades has hit China less than three months from the start of the Bejing Olympics. Experts say residual aftershocks still pose a great danger as they could cause the collapse of damaged buildings.