Fresh quake fears in China

2008-05-19 20:02

Chengdu - Tens of thousands of panicked Chengdu residents rushed into the city's streets early on Tuesday, spooked by a Chinese provincial television report predicting another earthquake.

Cars jammed roads leading out of the city and people clogged the pavements, carrying pillows and blankets and heading for open ground or parks.

China is observing three days of national mourning a week after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake killed nearly 34 000 people, mostly in the mountainous areas north and west of Chengdu.

Provincial television and radio reported that an 8-magnitude earthquake would strike Sichuan overnight, and that 6-magnitude tremors would shake Chengdu.

"They quoted a government department, so everyone's heading for clear space. I'd be careful if I were you," called a young man surnamed Huang.

A large aftershock shook Chengdu on Saturday night, and killed three people and injured 1 000 others in Sichuan province. The aftershock, and a powerful thunderstorm that followed, has set people's nerves on edge.

"Go to Sichuan University, it's the safest place," yelled a British woman as she ran down the street.

Some people stopped to buy packaged food from a stall under a highway flyover, but many more hurried past as fast as they could.

"I don't think it's responsible to put out a report like that," said the stall owner, who would only give his last name, Zhang. "You are a journalist, you should tell them to keep a cool head."

- Reuters