Special report: Strong Earthquake Jolts SW China

    by Xinhua writers Zhou Yan, Liu Dajiang and Feng Changyong

    BEICHUAN, Sichuan, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Cranes and bulldozers are removing rocks and floor slabs; rescuers in orange outfits are nosing about the rubble for the slightest signs of life; groans are heard occasionally from under the ruins.

    The groans are regarded as good tidings two days after a six-storey school building collapsed in Monday's earthquake and buried at least 1,000 students at Beichuan Middle School in Beichuan County of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

    Dozens were saved on Wednesday as rescue work was beefed up by rescuers from Sichuan, Chongqing, Shaanxi and Shenyang. Most of the newly found survivors were injured and needed further treatment in hospital.

    Up to 5,000 people were said to be dead in the mountainous county with about 20,000 people, about 160 kilometers northeast of the epicenter Wenchuan.

    The quake toppled 80 percent of the houses in the county seat and many survivors have to shelter in tents.

    Heavy rain on Tuesday has brought down temperatures and left the citizens in dire needs of quilts, mattresses and sheets.

    Luo Ning, aged 12, said she slept in a tent with her grandfather and several villagers. "The ground was damp and all our clothes were soaked. We could only doze off sitting on the ground, back to back, to keep each other warm."

    In the worst earthquake to hit China in three decades, the Chinese have demonstrated love, courage and perseverance - qualities which it is hoped will help them pull through this disaster.