Sichuan Earthquake - More Reports

As I expected and feared, more reports have come in and "the death toll stood at 12,000, with another 18,000 still missing", according to The New York Times.
Sichuan province, especially Chengdu, is such a densely popluated place, it is not surprising that the death toll is so high. What makes it worse is the bad weather and mountainous terrain, it might increase the figure a lot more than otherwise. The Great Hanshin Earthquake caused many people's death, not directly from the collapse itself, but from the fire that came after. Awaji Island has much easier access than a lot of shaken area of Sichuan. What we can do is to pray that all the efforts by every organization and individuals can save as many people as possible.
We cannot do much to stop the natural disasters, but can do a lot to help each others when they come.