May 13, 2008 Death toll continues to rise from powerful Chinese earthquake Play video

(Latoyia Edwards, NECN) - Nearly 12,000 people are now feared dead in the wake of that powerful Chinese earthquake.

But that death toll is expected to soar.

Chinese state media reports that thousands of more people remain buried under rubble in one city.

At least 10,000 people are assumed buried under rubble and New Englanders with family in southwestern China are sick with worry. Monday's earthquake may even impact the Olympic games in China.

Seeking shelter under their desks, in their doorways, were all thousands of unsuspecting Chinese citizens could do to survive the 7.9 magnitude earthquake.

Thousands of school children and their teachers were killed when at lest 5 primary schools collapsed.

20,000 Chinese troops are assisting the tens of thousands of people who slept outside in the rain on Monday night. They are afraid to go indoors because of the powerful aftershocks.

Many of the rural areas are still impassable because of the damage but progress is being made.

Rescue workers have drilled and dug their way in Sizchuan province, the epicenter of the earthquake's destruction where 10,000 people are dead.

Olympic organizers are considering a detour of the Olympic torch relay.

There's growing pressure to re-route because the torch is scheduled to travel through the Sizchuan province in the coming weeks.

NECN reporter Latoyia Edwards has more from the newsroom on the story.