A powerful earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck Baqên County in Nagqu City of China`s Xizang Autonomous Region at 10:33 PM on Thursday night (October 22), causing extensive damage to life and property. Chinese President Xi Jinping issued key directives to guide post-disaster response and relief operations.

In his instructions, President Xi emphasized that all-out search and rescue efforts must be mounted to minimize casualties, while ensuring the best medical treatment for the injured.

He stressed that the allocation of relief supplies must be accelerated, affected residents properly relocated and resettled, damaged infrastructure promptly repaired, and the safety of people’s lives and property effectively safeguarded.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang also instructed that the extent of the disaster must be assessed immediately, comprehensive rescue and relief efforts launched, medical care provided to the injured, affected communities properly relocated, and every effort made to keep casualties to an absolute minimum.

Meanwhile, China`s Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched a working team to the disaster zone to guide emergency search, rescue, and relief operations. Local authorities in Xizang are conducting comprehensive rescue operations and ensuring the proper resettlement of affected residents.

Source: Cai, Alim, Wang Haiman | China Media Group (CMG)