BEIJING - China’s state media says the confirmed death toll from the massive earthquake in Sichuan province has risen to more than 32,000.

The official Xinhua news agency said Sunday that the toll has climbed to 32,477, with more than 220,000 innured. Authorities expect the death toll to climb past 50,000.

About 5 million people have lost their homes.

Rescue teams from Russia, South Korea and Singapore joined Japanese workers Saturday. Two U.S. Air Force transport aircraft loaded with tents, food and lanterns were on the way to China.

Thousands of people living near the earthquake’s epicenter fled for higher ground Saturday because of fears of flooding.

The rush to escape possible flooding briefly hampered rescue efforts in the ruined city of Beichuan, but officials said relief workers have returned to the area.

Landslides from Monday’s quake have blocked parts of the Qingzhu river, creating large lakes. Officials are concerned that pressure from the water and continuing aftershocks could clear the blockage and cause flooding.

A magnitude six aftershock rattled the area Saturday.

Supplies are short and China’s health care system is struggling to cope with the people who are injured. The Health Ministry said Saturday that 34,000 medical and disease control experts were working in Sichuan Province.

The health experts are distributing pamphlets with instructions on how to handle bodies and how to disinfect food and drinking water.

Chinese President Hu Jintao thanked foreign countries and people who have offered aid since the earthquake struck the country. President Hu spoke Saturday at a meeting on rescue work in Sichuan province.

Source:  VOA News