Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Nuclear Explosion Suspected at Epicenter of the Sichuan Earthquake

By Wu Weilin
Jun 03, 2008

Growing evidence indicates that a nuclear detonation or mishap caused the Sichuan earthquake, and the delay of rescue personnel and supplies. (Andrew Wong/Getty Images)
Growing evidence indicates that a nuclear detonation or mishap caused the Sichuan earthquake, and the delay of rescue personnel and supplies. (Andrew Wong/Getty Images)



An unnamed expert believes that a nuclear explosion caused the recent 8.0 magnitude Sichuan earthquake in China, where three weeks after the catastrophe the death toll has reached 69,000 plus.

Overseas Chinese website Boxun News reported that the expert confirmed there was a nuclear explosion near the epicenter, based on witness reports and the discovery of concrete rubble believed to have come from an underground military installation.

Mr. He, a local resident, stated that when the earthquake occurred on May 12, people saw something erupt from the top of a mountain next to the valley, "It looked like toothpaste being squeezed out," said He. "No, it wasn't [magma]. It was these concrete pieces. The eruption lasted about three minutes."

According to a China News Services (CNS) report on May 31, 2008, paramedics from People's Liberation Army (PLA) hospitals and psychologists from Beijing onsite May 23 found concrete debris at the bottom of a valley near the epicenter. The half-mile-wide valley was covered with debris 10 - 20 inches thick, covering the valley floor for almost 1.5 miles.

No major construction was occurring in the area at the time of the earthquake.

The thickness of the concrete pieces seemed to match that used in China's underground military bases, according to Boxun's expert. He explained that while there are documented cases that earthquakes cause volcanic eruptions, there are no accounts of eruptions ejecting concrete.

Based on the CNS report and timing of the eruption at the scene, there seemed to be no evidence of natural volcanic activity. The expert stated he was certain a nuclear weapon explosion shattered the underground concrete structures, hurling debris into the air.

At least one of China's nuclear military bases is located in Mianyang City, Sichuan, near the epicenter.

Chinese Internet surfers commented that right after the quake military Special Forces blocked traffic heading toward the epicenter on the mountain, and men in white chemical protective clothing in military vehicles were also spotted driving toward the mountain. Rescue personnel near the epicenter were all military, according to witnesses.

The expert believes the nuclear explosion was not confined to the underground test area and has caused radiation contamination, stating that in a call to Beijing he recommended authorities accept help from other countries, seal the area, find and provide help to those who had been exposed to contamination during the rescue work, and take emergency measures to prevent water contamination.

International relief teams delayed

After the Sichuan earthquake took place, Beijing did not allow international relief groups to begin rescue efforts until 72 hours later, missing the most crucial window for saving lives.

There are also accounts of predictions of the earthquake before it took place. Local government officials in Aba District openly stated the predictions were 'rumors.'

As of Monday, the toll from the earthquake stands at 69,019 dead, 373,573 injured, and 18,627 still missing, according to China's state run media.

Click here to read the original article in Chinese

OLYMPIC WATCH: Human Rights in China and Beijing 2008

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