Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, February 25, 2003
Rescue Work Underway for Earthquake Victims in NW China
The Chinese government has made an immediate start on rescue work for victims of Monday's earthquake in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of northwest China.
The Chinese government has made an immediate start on rescue work for victims of Monday's earthquake in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of northwest China.
Vice-Premier Wen Jiabao has issued written instructions on the disaster relief operations, and the Ministry of Civil Affairs has dispatched a special team headed by vice minister Yang Yanyin to acquire first-hand knowledge of the situation.
A civil affairs official said on condition of anonymity that whenever disasters occurred, local governments must go all out to help victims.
He said the ministry was keeping a close eye on latest developments and disaster-relief materials including tents and quilts had been allocated and dispatched.
More reports detailing the specific needs of people affected would be issued as a reference for mobilizing charitable aid.
The ministry has asked governments at various levels since 2002 to set up emergency rescue programs and build reserves of supplies for disaster relief so the basic necessities for life can reach affected people within 24 hours.
Latest figures from the local seismological bureau show the death toll had risen to 257 from the earthquake that measured 6.8 degrees on the Richter scale. The number of the injured has risen over 1,000.
Disaster reports from the ministry said the quake rocked the area about 40 km east of Jiashi County in Xinjiang. It occurred at latitude 39.5 degrees north and longitude 77.2 degrees east at 10:03 a.m. (Beijing Time) Monday.