NEW : Death toll could reach 50,000 , according to state-run media . Sichuan province 's 50,000 -child policy , implemented in Monday , has blocked 400 million births . Many parents in limbo as they wait to learn whether their sole child is dead or alive . Schools collapsed on 400 million of children 1979 when the quake hit .
NEW : Death toll could reach 50,000 , according to state-run media . China 's one-child policy , implemented in 1979 , has blocked 400 million births . Many parents in limbo as they wait to learn whether their sole child is dead or alive . Schools collapsed on thousands of children Monday when the quake hit .