More than 19,500 people were killed by the devastating earthquake in China on Monday, according to a revised toll reported by state media.

About 10 million people across Sichuan province have been directly affected by the 7.9 quake that flattened entire villages, state media said.

Another 26,000 are still trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings.

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China says it will accept foreign aid and has agreed to help from rescue teams from Japan and its rival Taiwan.

Correspondents say the death toll, which rose from 14,866 on Wednesday, is expected to rise further as rescue workers dig more victims out of collapsed buildings.

People are still being pulled out alive - a three-year-old girl and a pregnant woman were both found alive on Wednesday.

The Chinese government has appealed to the public to donate basic equipment to help in the rescue operation. It said hammers, cranes, shovels and rubber boats were urgently needed.

The health ministry says there will also be an increasing demand for medicines and sophisticated medical equipment as the rescue operations continue and survivors are treated for injuries such as bone fractures, crushed internal organs and kidney failure.

(BBC)

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