President Xi urges all-out relief work after massive quake shakes Sichuan

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‍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 southwestern China's Sichuan Province.

As of 9:30 a.m., at least 13 people were killed and 175 were injured after the earthquake shook Jiuzhaigou County in Tuesday evening. 28 of those injured are in critical conditions.

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.

CGTN Photo

Rescue workers walked toward Jiuzhaigou on Wednesday. /CGTN Photo

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.

Xinhua Photo

Xinhua Photo‍

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.

Local authorities said about 3,1500 tourists have been relocated to a safe place and that they have set up shelter in hotels in nearby Zhangzha county.

1348km