Like many people in the UK, the team of BBC learning English were 16 and sad at the news of the earthquake in Sichuan Province. They would like to extend their condolences(吊唁) to those affected by this terrible natural disaster. Below was their special report on the earthquake and the 17 operations taking place.
Rescue efforts were underway in Sichuan Province following the terrible 18 , which measured 7.9 on the Richter Scale. According to Xinhua news agency, nearly 15,000 19 died in the disaster, with as many as 24,000 more 20 under ruins and another 14,000 21 .
