Relief effort picks up pace

Two days after an earthquake ravaged south-west China, rescuers continued the search for survivors, with efforts focussing on Wenchuan County, the epicentre. Wenchuan was cut-off until some 24 hours after the quake struck, the roads leading into the area blocked by rubble and weather conditions making aerial landings impossible. The death toll continued to soar as hitherto unreachable areas were breached by rescue workers.