2024 Disasters in Numbers
<p>In 2024, the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) recorded 393 natural hazard-related disasters. These events caused 16,753 fatalities and affected 167.2 million people. Economic losses totaled US$241.95
Natural Disasters
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Quake a major disaster, Jiabao calls for calm
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao described a powerful earthquake that struck southwest China on Monday as a "major disaster", and called for calm. "(When) facing (a) disaster, the most important thing is calm, confidence, courage and strong leadership," said Mr Wen, talking to China's CCTV television station on a flight to quake-hit areas. The 7.8-magnitude quake, which hit Wenchuan County in the southwestern province of Sichuan shortly before 2.30 pm, left at least 107 people dead and hundreds injured, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.
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EU: Quake worrying, China to get all help
The European Union offered assistance to China on Monday following the massive earthquake that struck the southwestern province of Sichuan, saying information from the region was "worrying". The European Union was closely monitoring the situation, a statement said, quoting commissioner for development and humanitarian aid Louis Michel. "The initial news from Sichuan is worrying," Mr Michel said. "Actual information is very sketchy but it seems likely that the quake has caused substantial damage over a considerable area, and there are already reports of some loss of life.
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US ready to help China in any way'
Bush sent condolences to the victims of a massive earthquake in central China on Monday and said the United States was ready to help in any way possible. "I am particularly saddened by the number of students and children affected by this tragedy," Mr Bush said in a statement released by the White House. He said the thoughts and prayers of the American people were with the Chinese people "especially those directly affected."
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20,000 feared killed in China quake
Over 8,000 people were feared killed
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9,000 die in big china quake
A massive earthquake toppled buildings across a wide area of central China on Monday, killing more than 9,000 people, trapping hundreds of students under the rubble of schools and causing a toxic chemical leak in one of the worst quakes in decades. The 7.8-magnitude earthquake devastated a region of small cities and towns set amid steep hills northeast of Sichuan's provincial capital of Chengdu. The official Xinhua news agency reported 8,533 people died in Sichuan alone and dozens of others in surrounding areas.
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Over 8,500 killed as quake rocks China
Chinese rescuers search for survivors at one of the two primary schools that toppled killing many schoolchildren yesterday after an earthquake measuring 7.8 rocked Sichuan province. Photo: AFP A massive earthquake rocked southwest China yesterday killing thousands of people and flattening schools and homes in a powerful tremor that was felt across a swathe of southeast Asia. A total of 8,533 people have died in China's Sichuan province after a powerful earthquake struck there on Monday, the official Xinhua news agency said, citing the local government.
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Earthquake in western China kills thousands
BEIJING: A powerful earthquake struck a mountainous region of western China on Monday, reportedly killing more than 7,600 people, including as many as 5,000 people in a single county. The quake also trapped more than 900 students beneath a collapsed high school as tremors shook buildings throughout China and were felt as far away as Thailand and Vietnam, according to interviews and reports in China's state media.
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China Quake Kills Nearly 10,000 In Sichuan Province
An earthquake devastated south-western China, killing close to 10,000 people and trapping hundreds of others under schools, factories and houses while the worst-hit area was still cut off from rescuers on Tuesday. The 7.8 magnitude quake, centred in Sichuan province, struck in the middle of the school day on Monday and toppled at least eight schools. Chemical-laden factories and at least one hospital collapsed, trapping hundreds more, state media said.
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Massive death toll feared in Chinese earthquake
At least 1000 students and teachers were killed or buried in the collapse of another school in quake-hit south-west China, state media reported today. "So far, the number of dead or missing is estimated at more than 1000 at the school," Xinhua news agency said. The report came from Beichuan county, where reports earlier had said up to 5000 people in the area may have been killed by yesterday's 7.8-magnitude quake. Elsewhere, the quake left 500 people dead and 2000 buried under debris in one city, state TV said today, citing the local relief headquarters.
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Finally, US aid touches down in Burma
THE first US aid flight has landed in Burma, where some 1.5 million survivors of Cyclone Nargis are still waiting for help. A C-130 military transport plane flew into Rangoon yesterday from Thailand, carrying 12,700 kilograms of water, mosquito nets and blankets. The arrival of the plane follows a week of delays and negotiations and is a huge concession by the nation's military junta.