Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca announced on Friday that his department will help raise funds for families of more than 150 search-and-rescue workers killed by aftershocks of last month's devastating earthquakes in China's Sichuan province.
Baca said the fundraising campaign, which will continue through July 18, will be conducted by the Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles Chinese-American Sheriff's Advisory Committee.
The death toll from the May 12 quake and several aftershocks has exceeded 70,000, according to Chinese government estimates.
During rescue missions after the initial 8.0 temblor, 158 search-and-rescue workers were killed by landslides caused by aftershocks, sheriff's officials said.
The collected funds will be presented to a representative of the Chinese government, sheriff's officials said. Source:Xinhua
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