Sichuan Earthquake

(All Photos stored on multiply.com but copied from All the Latest News)

There are many reports on the casualties from Sichuan Earthquake now. But it reminds me of the Hanshinawaji Earthquake, at the beginning of which the reports only mentioned a few casualties. I was still up doing some programming in Tokyo then. I felt the quake and soon turned on the TV. Since there were not much serious reports on it, I turned it off and decided to call it a day (or night? since it was aroud 5am). But when I woke up around 11am and turned on TV again, I thought I was watching a movie of war. Dense smoke was shown on the screen all the time, and the devastating flames here and there. Later that day, far more casualties started to be accumulating and easily got over one thousand.
In the similar way, the initial report here in Japan only stated a few dozen deaths. Only a few hours later did the reports flow in with much more death and injuries. Maybe the difference is that premier Wen flew to the afflicted area about one hour after the quake. But since it is a moutainous area too, the traffice seems to be a big problem for people and materials to get through.
I pray here for those who are trapped under the debris to be rescued safely, for those who have lost their family members or friends recover as soon as possible, for those injured get treated in time, and for those who lost their homes find a place to rest and continue with their daily life.