(May 13, 2008)—A Chinese disaster relief official says the death toll has risen to nearly 12,000 following a massive earthquake that struck the country Monday.
China's disaster response director Wang Zhengyao said at a news conference Tuesday that 11,921 people have died so far from the 7.9-magnitude earthquake that was centered in Sichuan province.
The death toll from the quake is expected to rise even higher.
State media say thousands are still trapped in collapsed buildings.
The official Xinhua News Agency reports 10,000 people "remained buried" 60 miles from the epicenter.
Xinhua says heavy rain is continuing to frustrate rescue efforts.
The tremors caused a wide swath of damage across central China, leveling buildings and severing roads and communications.
The quake sent people rushing out of their offices across the country in Beijing, and was felt as far away as Vietnam.
China's official news agency also says a freight train derailed and caught fire in northern China during the country's massive earthquake and is still burning.
The train included 13 tank cars filled with gasoline.
There are conflicting reports on injuries.
Hundreds of residents have been moved four miles away from the scene of the crash in Gansu province, which is next to the province where the quake was centered.
The Chinese government, in the meantime, says it welcomes foreign offers of quake aid.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman told reporters that many countries have offered to help relief efforts. He says disaster authorities in China would make contact with relevant countries and organizations.
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