A massive earthquake, registering at 7.8 on the Richter scale, hammered southwest China's Sichuan Province at 2:28 pm on Monday. The high magnitude tremors rippled from the mountainous county of Wenchuan, but were felt in many other parts of the country.
The disaster had caused more than 12,000 reported deaths by Tuesday evening in Sichuan alone, and the death toll is likely to rise with rescuers struggling to reach some of the hardest-hit areas. About 3.5 million homes were destroyed in Sichuan, with more than 26,000 injured, 7,800 missing and more than 9,400 trapped beneath debris.
Indeed, we cannot retrieve the disastrous loss, but we have been moved to tears by the scenes of Chinese people of one mind in the struggle against the disaster and united as one in the rescue work. In the most agonizing two days gone by, every Chinese has been moved and encouraged by the strength of their national spirit which is forged in the countless heart- stirring and tear-jerking stories:
China's response to Monday's quake has been reported the most efficient in dealing with breaking events as the state media frequently updates casualty tolls and with the rapid deployment of troops to the worst-hit areas. President Hu Jintao issued instructions calling to save lives at any cost within half an hour following the tremors; and the related governmental departments launched emergencies plan in succession immediately thereafter.
Premier Wen Jiabao shed tears. A netizen from the quake-hit region posted a message on Tianya website saying that if you happened to see him at this spot and at this moment, you could not refrain from tears. The Premier, in his sixties and acting as the Commander-in-chief in rescue operations, immediately set out to the worst-hit areas and worked his way there overnight in spite of potential aftershocks. When he witnessed two school children trapped beneath rubble being rescued, tears streamed down his face. He constantly comforted and encouraged them during the rescue process.
"We will put our best efforts forward to save all those alive who can be saved," he said. "This disaster has all tested us. We all have to come together and have confidence and push forward."
Hundreds of soldiers and disaster relief workers descended on the epicenter of Wenchuan County, many of them digging by hand. More than 70 percent of the town's roads were damaged, and almost all bridges had collapsed, which complicated efforts to get troops and aid workers to the disaster-stricken area. In Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, over 500 aftershocks rattled the city, driving more than 4 million people out of their homes. This was a sleepless night for Chengdu: in the street, survivors lined up to donate blood and remained calm while appearing "extremely tired."
Hundreds of taxi drivers volunteered to deliver emergency light to the city of Du Jiangyan, one of the hardest-hit areas in Sichuan. Nobody ordered them to do so, and nobody would pay them; but these drivers, usually branded as price-gougers, would rather risk their own lives to offer humanitarian help.
Facing the unexpected disaster, shock and fear have gradually faded into great perseverance and combative strength. This is a nation which has survived thousands of years of pain and suffering; and has yet to yield to a harsh blow.
On any website message board, you can find three days of heartfelt wishes from across China to the quake-stricken people: You are not alone, and we will always be around.
Under the banner of "We are together" all the Chinese will stand hand in hand against the hardships, and fight shoulder to shoulder against the disaster.
By People's Daily Online
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