China earthquake victims demand support

HUNDREDS of survivors of an earthquake that killed nearly 200 people and injured thousands in south-western China pushed into traffic on a main road yesterday, waving protest signs and demanding help.

“We are in the open air here. No place to sleep, nothing to eat. No-one is paying any attention to us,” said Peng Qiong, 45, a farmer.

China has poured resources into the Sichuan region since the magnitude 6.6 quake hit on Saturday, including one billion yuan (£1 million) for disaster relief and compensation. About 18,000 troops are in the area.

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However, mountainous terrain and poor infrastructure have made reaching victims difficult. Xinhua news agency said aftershocks had triggered landslides that blocked a main road.

Meanwhile, staff at a reserve in the region have been tending to shocked pandas which sought refuge in trees after being panicked by the earthquake.

The Bifengxia Panda Base near Ya-an city, about 30 miles from the epicentre, said no staff or animals were harmed.

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