Death toll in China earthquake increases

STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 10, ARTSAKHPRESS: According to the source, authorities raised the death toll by one to 20 and injured by around 200 on Thursday. Six tourists and two local residents were known to be among the dead, and 18 people had serious injuries, local authorities said.

More than 60,000 people have been evacuated from the area amid continuing aftershocks, state media said. Most of the deaths and injuries were recorded in Zhangzha township, near Jiuzhaigou national park in Sichuan province that is listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

The quake knocked out electricity and sent boulders tumbling down steep mountainsides onto blocked roads, while Xinhua said its photographers on the scene reported extensive damage to scenic sites which include lakes, spectacular waterfalls and karst formations.

CCTV said 10,500 people had been moved from damaged buildings to emergency shelters.