Special report: Strong Earthquake Jolts SW China

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao comforts local people during an inspection in Muyu Township of Qingchuan County, one of the worst-hit area of Guangyuan City in southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 15, 2008. Wen is here to oversee rescue work and visit survivors.(Xinhua/Tao Ming) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived at Guangyuan City in southwest China's Sichuan Province here Thursday morning.

    Wen spent three hours by ship to go to Muyu Township, Qingchuan County, one of the worst-hit area of Guangyuan City to oversee rescue work and visit survivors.

    Monday's quake caused more than 1,400 deaths and 10,000 injuries in Qingchuan as of 4 p.m. Wednesday. More than 460 students were once under ruins of a junior middle school building in Muyu Township and about 150 have been rescued till now.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao greets local people during an inspection in Muyu Township of Qingchuan County, one of the worst-hit area of Guangyuan City in southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 15, 2008. Wen is here to oversee rescue work and visit survivors.(Xinhua/Tao Ming) Photo Gallery>>>

    Wen said to disaster relief personnel, including firemen and medics that "the Party and the country thank and the people need you."

    "You should be unafraid of difficulties and sacrifices, devoting yourself to rescue the people," he said.

    Junior school student Wang Yunxiao, who survived the quake, cried to the premier that their house was crashed, they would soon be out of food, and he could not go to school.

    Wen told her that the house would be rebuilt, food would be sent and school would resume too.

    Wen said the Party and the country never forgot the remote quake-hit villages. He encouraged local residents to "rise from sorrow, help each other and rebuild home."

    He said that "government is concerned about you and will make the utmost efforts to help you. See, a large number of soldiers are coming. Food, water and tents will also come soon."

    He also visited journalists at scene reporting the disaster relief work.

    He discussed with relative officials about intensifying rescue work on his way back to Guangyuan City.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) comforts local people in Muyu Township, Qingchuan County, southwest China's Sichuan Province May 15, 2008. Qingchuan County is one of the worst-hit areas in Sichuan Province. Premier Wen is here to oversee rescue work and visit survivors. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) Photo Gallery>>>

Chinese premier orders deployment of 90 more helicopters for quake relief

    BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has ordered the armed forces and civil aviation department to deploy 90 more helicopters for rescue missions in quake-hit Sichuan province.

    The decision was made at a late Wednesday evening meeting of the national quake relief headquarters held on a running train from Sichuan provincial capital Chengdu to Guangyuan city about 200 kilometers away. Full story

FACTBOX: Breakdown of casualties in China's worst quake in three decades

    BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Wenchuan County of southwest China's Sichuan Province Monday afternoon, killing almost 15,000 people in Sichuan and neighboring regions.

    The worst quake in three decades in China was felt in most parts of the county. The following is a detailed list of casualties reported from different regions, based on the latest government statistics. Full story