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Radioactive sources recovered

— Photo: Xinhua

Life springs: A doctor holds Zhang Hongyang, born on May 16, while the mother smiles in Sichuan Province on Tuesday. Zhang is the first baby born after the quake.

CHENGDU: Nuclear facilities and radioactive sources for civilian purposes in southwest China’s Sichuan Province have been confirmed safe and controllable after the May 12 quake, said an environment official here on Tuesday.

Zhou Shengxian, Minister of environmental protection, told Xinhua that altogether 32 radioactive sources had been buried under debris during the 8-magnitude earthquake centred in Wenchuan County of Sichuan. So far, 30 have been recovered, according to Mr. Zhou.

Authorities have already detected the locations of the other two radioactive sources, he said. The two radioactive sources will also be transported to safe areas soon, he said.

The death toll from the devastating earthquake rose to 40,075 while 2,47,645 people were injured as of Tuesday.

As of Tuesday, 32,361 people were missing and 159 aftershocks measuring above 4 on the Richter Scale had been detected in Sichuan. Aftershocks measured above magnitude 5 numbered 26, with four stronger than magnitude 6.

About 5.36 million buildings have collapsed and more than 21 million were damaged. — Xinhua

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