China tallies losses, costs from quake

It remains unknown what kind of damage the quake has done to China's rapidly expanding economy.

The death toll from the disaster rose to 22,069 late Friday, the official Xinhua News Agency said, as rescuers continued to pull survivors from the rubble and try to provide for tens of thousands left homeless by Monday's 7.9 magnitude quake.

Central and local authorities promised $772 million for disaster relief, the central bank said, as millions more in public and corporate donations poured in.

Crumbled roads, toppled schools and homes and other damage could add up to losses of both insured and uninsured property exceeding $20 billion, according to AIR Worldwide, a catastrophe risk modeling firm.

Hydroelectric and chemical companies are among those with heavy infrastructure losses.

The Chinese government has yet to issue an estimate of damages, though state media reported the quake had destroyed homes and other infrastructure in parts of seven provinces.

The greatest impact was in Sichuan, where the quake was centered, and where entire communities were flattened.

Specific reports of damage and losses were emerging gradually. Although the quake zone is a relatively poor, hilly region, the area also has many factories.

Dongfang Electric Corp., a major manufacturer of power equipment, reported serious damage and casualties at a steam turbine factory, although other facilities were little affected.