Xi urges all-out relief work after 7.0-magnitude quake hits SW China
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for all-out efforts to rapidly organize relief work and rescue the injured people after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit southwest China's Sichuan Province.
Nine people have been killed and 164 injured after the earthquake jolted Jiuzhaigou County in Sichuan at 9:19 p.m. Tuesday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.
Authorities should check the impact of the earthquake, evacuate and settle visitors and local people, and reduce death and injuries as much as possible, Xi said.
Tourists take shelter in the parking lot of Intercontinental Resort Jiuzhai Paradise on Wednesday after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit southwest China's Sichuan Province Tuesday evening.
As the earthquake took place during the flood period and tourism season, authorities should enhance meteorological early warning and geological monitoring to guard against other disasters and try their best to protect people's lives and property, Xi added.
Premier Li Keqiang also urged local authorities to go all out in relief and monitoring work.
China's cabinet, the State Council, has sent a national work team to the disaster-hit area to guide relief work. Local governments have activated top-level emergency response procedures.
