Chinese Premier visits epicenter after deadly quake (4)

Li called a meeting at the front-line headquarters in Longmen Township, saying it is important to ensure enough tents on Saturday night for quake victims and prevent new casualties in aftershocks and secondary disasters. He also urged military units on rescue missions to restore communications to the isolated Baoxing County.

Li asked people in Sichuan not to be depressed by the disaster.

Li left Beijing for Sichuan at 13:15 p.m. Saturday. During the flight, Li listened to reports from relevant ministries and armed forces.

"The current most urgent issue is grasping the first 24 hours after the quake's occurrence, the golden time for saving lives, to take scientific rescue measures and save peoples' lives," Li said on the plane.

"Life is the most important thing and the top priority is saving lives, " Li said. No minute or even second should be delayed during the "golden rescue period" in the first 72 hours after the quake.

He urged rescuers to examine every house to ensure all the injured residents are saved amid continuous aftershocks.

Deaths and injuries should be reduced to the minimum. Medical staff must treat rescued people in a timely manner, Li said.

He also ordered the guarantee of accommodation, food and safe water for residents in the quake zone as well as measures against any epidemic situation.

Li called for efforts to prevent further tragedies caused by aftershocks and geological disasters such as landslides. Public awareness of self-protection should also be promoted by government departments.

He urged relevant departments to provide enough tents, materials for first aid, vehicles and other rescue and relief materials, waste no time to repair damaged facilities concerning electricity, communications and roads, so as to ensure timely and accurate delivery of disaster relief resources.