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Chinese leader visits quake area Chinese leader visits quake area
(20 minutes later)
Chinese President Hu Jintao has flown to south-western Sichuan Province, where it is feared up to 50,000 people may have died in Monday's earthquake.Chinese President Hu Jintao has flown to south-western Sichuan Province, where it is feared up to 50,000 people may have died in Monday's earthquake.
So far almost 20,000 deaths have been confirmed in the region and thousands more people remain missing.So far almost 20,000 deaths have been confirmed in the region and thousands more people remain missing.
Mr Hu said rescue work had entered its "most crucial phase", Xinhua news agency reported.Mr Hu said rescue work had entered its "most crucial phase", Xinhua news agency reported.
Search teams are still combing through the rubble of houses and schools as hopes of finding more survivors fade.Search teams are still combing through the rubble of houses and schools as hopes of finding more survivors fade.
"The challenge is still severe, the task is still arduous and the time is pressing," said Mr Hu."The challenge is still severe, the task is still arduous and the time is pressing," said Mr Hu.
"We must make every effort, race against time and overcome all difficulties to achieve the final victory of the relief efforts.""We must make every effort, race against time and overcome all difficulties to achieve the final victory of the relief efforts."
He was speaking after arriving in Mianyang, one of the worst-hit cities in Monday's 7.9-magnitude earthquake, where he was to view the relief efforts and meet troops and medical personnel.He was speaking after arriving in Mianyang, one of the worst-hit cities in Monday's 7.9-magnitude earthquake, where he was to view the relief efforts and meet troops and medical personnel.
The Chinese president's presence in the region appears to reflect the level of government concern over the scale of the disaster.The Chinese president's presence in the region appears to reflect the level of government concern over the scale of the disaster.
'Top priority''Top priority'
The first foreign rescuers have now arrived in the devastated region.The first foreign rescuers have now arrived in the devastated region.
See a detailed map of quake zoneIn pictures: Quake recoveryDams pose flooding riskSee a detailed map of quake zoneIn pictures: Quake recoveryDams pose flooding risk
Thirty-one Japanese experts arrived on Friday morning, state media said, and a second team with sniffer dogs was due there later in the day.Thirty-one Japanese experts arrived on Friday morning, state media said, and a second team with sniffer dogs was due there later in the day.
Russia, South Korea and Singapore are also sending teams to help in the rescue effort.Russia, South Korea and Singapore are also sending teams to help in the rescue effort.
Troops have now reached all of the affected areas, state media says, and 60,000 people trapped or injured by the earthquake have received help.Troops have now reached all of the affected areas, state media says, and 60,000 people trapped or injured by the earthquake have received help.
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Rescue teams pull woman from rubble of collapsed building
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who has been in the area since the earthquake struck, said the focus remained on getting to survivors.Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who has been in the area since the earthquake struck, said the focus remained on getting to survivors.
"Saving lives is still our top priority, as long as hope of survival still exists," he said."Saving lives is still our top priority, as long as hope of survival still exists," he said.
But the task remains huge. More than 200,000 houses have collapsed in Sichuan province, while more than four million have been damaged in some way, Xinhua said.But the task remains huge. More than 200,000 houses have collapsed in Sichuan province, while more than four million have been damaged in some way, Xinhua said.
The BBC's James Reynolds in the central town of Hanwang described seeing a team of rescuers emerge from a building carrying two bodies, and seeing parents watch rescue efforts at a nearby school, hoping their children would come out alive.The BBC's James Reynolds in the central town of Hanwang described seeing a team of rescuers emerge from a building carrying two bodies, and seeing parents watch rescue efforts at a nearby school, hoping their children would come out alive.
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Rescue teams pull woman from rubble of collapsed building
Seven schools, including two kindergartens, were destroyed in Hanwang, burying more than 1,700 students.
Some 700 students were buried when Dongqi Middle School collapsed.
Disease fearsDisease fears
In Mianzhu, one of the worst-hit towns, one woman said it was time to prioritise the living.In Mianzhu, one of the worst-hit towns, one woman said it was time to prioritise the living.
RECENT CHINA QUAKES March, 2008: 7.2 quake in Xinjiang - damage limitedFebruary 2003: 6.8 quake in Xinjiang - at least 94 dead, 200 hurtJanuary 1998: 6.2 quake in rural Hebei - at least 47 dead, 2,000 hurt April 1997: 6.6 quake hits Xinjiang - 9 dead, 60 hurtJanuary 1997: 6.4 quake in Xinjiang - 50 dead, 40 hurt Send us your commentsLife in tent cityHow earthquakes happenRECENT CHINA QUAKES March, 2008: 7.2 quake in Xinjiang - damage limitedFebruary 2003: 6.8 quake in Xinjiang - at least 94 dead, 200 hurtJanuary 1998: 6.2 quake in rural Hebei - at least 47 dead, 2,000 hurt April 1997: 6.6 quake hits Xinjiang - 9 dead, 60 hurtJanuary 1997: 6.4 quake in Xinjiang - 50 dead, 40 hurt Send us your commentsLife in tent cityHow earthquakes happen
"The focus is on saving lives, and they say food and a place to live are small issues as long as you're alive," Fan Xiaohua told Reuters news agency."The focus is on saving lives, and they say food and a place to live are small issues as long as you're alive," Fan Xiaohua told Reuters news agency.
"In fact, they are very big issues right now," she said."In fact, they are very big issues right now," she said.
Tens of thousands of Chinese troops and police are in the region to help with relief efforts but damage to roads is still hampering their mobility.Tens of thousands of Chinese troops and police are in the region to help with relief efforts but damage to roads is still hampering their mobility.
Some soldiers have parachuted into the remotest areas, and essential supplies have been dropped from planes.Some soldiers have parachuted into the remotest areas, and essential supplies have been dropped from planes.
But local people say food, medical supplies and tents are desperately needed.But local people say food, medical supplies and tents are desperately needed.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has issued an emergency appeal for medical help, food, water and tents.The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has issued an emergency appeal for medical help, food, water and tents.

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