According to the frontline reporter of China.org.cn, Shifang is one of the earthquake's hardest-hit districts. Shifang and Wenchuan are on two wings of the Longmen Mountain, only 50 km apart.

According to Zou Ai'ai, the vice director of the Publicity Department of Shifang Municipal Party Committee, the worst damage in Shifang City were the mountainous areas and the towns that run along them. The three towns of Hongbai, Yinghua and Bajiao were nearly razed to the ground, with 80 percent of the buildings collapsing.

Up to 12 AM, May 16, in Shifang City area, 3,070 people were confirmed dead, 31,610 injured, 2,602 missing, 2,014 still buried and 320,000 buildings destroyed. Right now 15,000 members of rescue groups are fighting day and night on the frontline. They have cleared more than 2,200 buildings, dug out 1,235 victims (among whom 163 were saved alive), and buried 2,246 dead. The medical treatment centers have dealt with over 6,000 injured, with over 2,700 were passed on to other hospitals for further treatment. 26 accommodation centers have been set up around the city, providing shelter for over 50,000 people.

The function of the Shifang.gov.cn website has been temporarily shifted to a site for countering the earthquake and rescuing the victims. It releases information about the latest progress in disaster areas. On the upper part of the home page is the following heart-breaking message:

"Latest news from Hongbai Town, Shifang, at 11:50 May 16: On May 14, a troop of more than 200 soldiers marched on foot into the Hongbai mountains and we have heard no further news of them. At 22:00, May 15, the road to Hongbai was opened; this morning, a troop of more than 3,000 soldiers reached Hongbai Town. Since heavy rescue equipment could not reach Hongbai, they had to carry out rescue work by hand…There are more than 10,000 people in Hongbai. So far, the number of dead has not yet been counted. We are seeking help…" 

(China.org.cn May 16, 2008)