10 September 2008

China tailings dam disaster death toll

Posted by Dave Petley

Reuters image of the search for victims

Reuters is now reporting that the number of fatalities in the China tailings dam disaster (landslide / debris flow) is now 128 people. A unknown number remain buried in the debris. Interestingly, Xinhua appears to have ceased reporting on the event (corrected: they do now have a report), amongst suggestions that journalists are being kept away.

The difficulties facing the rescuers are clear from the above image. Recovering anyone alive from within that deposit is very unlikely.