Cars jammed roads leading out of Chengdu, and people carrying bedding headed for open ground after hearing that another earthquake of 8-magnitude would shake the ravaged province of Sichuan overnight.

On Monday, sirens wailed across the country of 1.3 billion people and millions of Chinese stood in silence for three minutes in homage to the victims of the disaster, the worst to hit China since 1976.

The death toll was raised to more than 34,000 on Monday, with some 245,000 people injured.

But the number of dead could rise dramatically as the Communist Party chief in Sichuan said nearly 30,000 were missing. A further 5,000 are believed still buried under rubble.

Provincial television and radio reported that apart from the earthquake that would strike Sichuan, there would also be 6-magnitude tremors in Chengdu.

"They quoted a government department, so everyone's heading for clear space. I'd be careful if I were you," called a young man surnamed Huang.

Most of the dead from the 7.9 magnitude earthquake were in mountainous areas north and west of Chengdu.

The government put direct economic losses in Sichuan alone at about 67 billion yuan (US$9.6 billion).

"WORSE THAN WAR"

"I think the three minutes was important because it means that everyone, from the central government down to every individual, is thinking of us. Because this is worse than a war," said He Ling, a policeman in Pingtong town, which was almost totally wrecked by the earthquake.

Even as the rescuers stopped work to mark their respect to the dead, another aftershock rattled the area and set off a small landslide from a nearby cliff.

Air raid sirens, as well as car, train and ship horns wailed around the country to mark the one-week anniversary. Flags flew at half mast and cinemas were ordered to stop showing films for the mourning period.

In Beichuan, another devastated town, several hundred rescuers bowed their heads and laid wreaths made from twigs and scrap paper pulled from the debris.

"We're all feeling very heavy hearted. So many people weren't saved," a soldier said, by the remains of a wrecked school.

In Beijing, the country's top leaders, led by President Hu Jintao, wore white flowers on their chests and bowed in silence.

Nearby, in Tiananmen Square -- where student-led pro-democracy protests were crushed by the army in 1989 -- about 1,000 flag-waving people marched, chanting "Go China Go" and "Rebuild Sichuan."

SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS

A government official said rescuers had reached the remotest areas of the province by Monday, but roads to some 50 affected towns and villages were still blocked by rocks and mudslides.

More than 200 relief workers in five vehicles were buried by mudflows over the weekend, while trying to leave quake-affected areas, Xinhua said, citing the transport ministry. The death toll had not been confirmed.

There was a burst of elation in ruined Beichuan, when one woman was found alive under a mass of concrete.

But rescuers mostly had the gruesome job of recovering decomposing bodies. Dozens of bodies were pulled from the rubble in Beichuan on Monday, and rescuers scattered lime and splashed disinfectant to prevent disease.

Premier Wen Jiabao ordered further efforts to prevent the spread of disease.

On Monday, the Foreign Ministry appealed to the international community to provide more tents for about 4.8 million people who lost their homes in the quake.

So far, 10.8 billion yuan ($1.55 billion) has been received from donors at home and abroad, China said.

(US$1=6.990 Yuan)