Xi urges all-out rescue efforts after deadly earthquake

Rescuers clear the debris of a damaged house in quake-hit Majiagou Village of Minxian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, July 22, 2013. Fifty-four deaths have so far been confirmed in the 6.6-magnitude earthquake which jolted a juncture region of Minxian County and Zhangxian County in Dingxi City Monday morning. (Xinhua/Guo Gang)

President Xi Jinping has called for all-out rescue efforts and the prioritization of life-saving measures following a deadly earthquake that has killed at least 75 people and injured more than 600 in northwest China's Gansu Province.

The 6.6-magnitude quake jolted Minxian and Zhangxian counties at 7:45 a.m. Monday.

Xi asked the Gansu provincial government and relevant departments to carry out rescue work in a timely manner and make their utmost efforts to reduce casualties.

The president urged local authorities to provide assistance for the resettlement of quake victims, strengthen aftershock monitoring and take measures to prevent secondary disasters and minimize losses caused by the quake.

Premier Li Keqiang also urged relevant departments to launch an emergency response mechanism and send working teams to direct rescue work as soon as possible.

Professional rescue forces should be mobilized to assist in emergency rescue work, Li said.

Gansu provincial authorities rushed to quake-hit areas to direct rescue efforts immediately after the quake.