The Civil Affairs Ministry estimates the death toll of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Sichuan province has risen to 11,921. Ministry officials said during a press conference that the central government is giving top priority to rescue and relief.

The Civil Affairs Ministry estimates the death toll ofthe 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Sichuan province has risen to 11,921.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs says the central government is doing all it can to save as many lives as possible. A small rescue team has reached the most severely hit area, Wen'an, by road, but that's just the beginning.

Wang Zhenyao, Director of Disaster Relief Department of Civil Affairs said, "Transport remains quite a problem. We know Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in the disaster-hit areas, but there's no way to get into Wen'an. Another problem is the large number of people affected. It's not easy to get the considerable amount of aid to them immediately. And rain is making the rescue work even harder."

Condolences have come from a number of foreign leaders. Some countries and international organizations, as well as individuals in China's Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, have offered to help in rescue efforts and donate aid and money.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs thanked all parties for their offers, but says the current transport condition make it impossible for the international rescue team to go to affected areas.

Wang Zhenyao said, "We are very grateful for the generous help from the world and the government will accept donations and send them to the quake-hit areas in a timely manner. And we also greatly appreciate that the UN and some other international organizations have expressed their willingness to sent assistance teams."

The State Seismological Bureau, or SSB, has sent a professional quake rescue team to Sichuan.

Zhang Hongwei, Spokesman of State Seismological Bureau said "The team is equipped with advanced equipment, like life detecting systems, demolition equipment, and medical equipment. They'll be able to carry out efficient rescue work even under hard conditions."

As of 8 AM Tuesday morning, the quake-hit areas saw 16 aftershocks measuring above 5 on the Richter scale.

In Dujiangyan, many houses collapsed and power went out Monday night.

Initial reports said a third of the houses in the epicenter of Wenchuan County collapsed, and another third were seriously damaged.

And there has not been any contact with Maoxian County, just north of Wenchuan.

The authorities are continuing to assess casualties and economic losses. Rescue teams and relief materials have been dispatched to the affected areas.

(CCTV May 14, 2008)