A 53-year-old Chinese woman who was rescued on Monday morning after some 165 hours in earthquake debris died despite emergency treatment.
Wang Fazhen was pulled from the rubble of a residential building in Hanwang Township, Mianzhu, at about 11 a.m. on Monday. She was among the many trapped by the 8.0-magnitude earthquake that rocked southwestern Sichuan Province a week ago.
She was rushed to a nearby emergency treatment site. But doctors said that her breathing and pulse had stopped after she arrived. Doctors then attempted emergency measures, including artificial respiration, but failed to revive her.
There have been reports of survival miracles in the past few days as tens of thousands of rescuers continue the search in the quake-stricken area.
The quake death toll reached 34,073 and the injured numbered 245,108 nationwide as of noon on Monday, according to the earthquake relief headquarters of the State Council.
(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2008)