China Quake Toll Shoots Up Past 1,144

By By Aaron J. Leichman
series-of-strong-earthquakes-hit-china11.jpg
University students participate in a candlelight vigil in memory of the victims of the Yushu Earthquake in Hefei in central China's Anhui province, Friday April 16, 2010. Rescuers probed the rubble for sounds or movement Friday in a rush to find anyone buried alive more than 48 hours after an earthquake hit western China, killing at least 760 people. AP Photo

The death toll from Wednesday’s 7.1-magnitude earthquake in western China shot up to more than 1,144 late Friday after being reported as 791 just ten hours earlier, according to the government’s official press agency.

Meanwhile, around 294 remain missing and 11,486 injured, reported the Xinhua News Agency.

About 100,000 people have been relocated.

Although China's Ministry of Civil Affairs said it is was planning to send 5,000 tents, 50,000 quilts and 50,000 winter jackets to the affected areas, relief teams on the ground said Friday that thousands of survivors were still in need of tents and blankets.

Many "had a sleepless night outdoors in the freezing cold and windy night," reported the Amity Foundation, which sent a six-member assessment team to Jiegu town – the most-affected area – on Friday.

Also on the ground is a team dispatched by aid group World Vision, which said Thursday that hygiene, medical and other health needs may be a critical area of need that it can help fill.

According to Meimei Leung, leader of World Vision's assessment team, adequate shelter and warm clothing for children and families is a key concern as average temperatures in the area have been hovering between -3 to 14 degrees Celsius.

Coincidentally, Wednesday’s earthquake struck roughly one month before the second anniversary of the massive earthquake in Sichuan Province, which lies 60 miles away from Yushu county, the area most affected by Wednesday’s quake.

The 2008 quake, registered as a magnitude-7.9 temblor, killed nearly 90,000 people.

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo