Li arrives in Yunnan for quake relief

Premier Li Keqiang has arrived in Zhaotong, Yunnan province, on Aug 4 after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake rattled southwest China's city on Sunday. [Photo/weibo.com/ynxxb]

Premier Li Keqiang has arrived in Zhaotong, Yunnan province, after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake rattled southwest China's city on Sunday, killing at least 381 people and injuring 1,801 others.

key Points A 6.5-magnitude earthquake rattled southwest China's Yunnan province at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. The epicenter is in Longtoushan Township, 23 km southwest of the county seat of Ludian, in Zhaotong city. More than 12,000 houses have been toppled and 30,000 damaged in the quake zone. At least 381 people dead and 1,801 injured Many of the homes that collapsed in Ludian, which has a population of about 429,000, were old and made of brick. More than 2,500 troops dispatched to the disaster region.

Li pledged for "door-to-door" search in the following two days to rescue the injured and locate the missing on a working conference held on the plane.

"We have to grab every opportunity of rescue to reduce the casualty...We must put people's lives at the first place," Li said.

"Those who wear military uniforms must get into the stricken area together with those who wear white gowns (doctors)." Li said while on the plane that enough food, clean water, clothes and safe dwellings must be provided to the people affected by the earthquake.

Li made seven major decisions regarding quake relief, including the prevention of secondary disasters, the provision of necessities to those affected and the unification of command to put rescue efforts in reasonable order.

While still on the flight, Li made one decision immediately after another on hearing the latest reports on the earthquake from his subordinates, interjecting every now and then to make urgent arrangements. He required personnel to make good use of the satellite phones on the plane to communicate with rescue workers on the ground and put his decisions into action.

Live: Hundreds dead as strong quake rocks SW China