Premier Li mourns quake victims, pledges efficient relief

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pays silent tribute to victims of a 6.5-magnitude earthquake ahead of a meeting on disaster relief work held in a tent at the quake epicenter in Longtoushan Town under Ludian County of Zhaotong, southwest China's Yunnan province, Aug 4, 2014. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has pledged to arrange efficient rescue and relief for victims of the deadly earthquake that hit southwest China on Sunday.

Ahead of a meeting held in a tent at the quake epicenter Monday afternoon, the premier paid silent tribute to those who died in the 6.5-magnitude earthquake in Yunnan province.

At least 410 people were killed and more than 2,300 were injured in the earthquake, according to the latest data.

Li left Beijing for the quake-hit areas Monday morning.

At the meeting with local officials and rescuers from the armed forces, Premier Li ordered the placement of professional rescue teams in the most needed areas and called for more medical workers to be transferred to quake-hit areas.

To minimize casualties, the government will transport the seriously injured out of the quake zone as quickly as possible, Li said.

All resources, including the armed forces, will be mobilized to maintain the operation of highways and transport relief materials into the quake zone, he added.

The government will also make sure quarantine measures are taken in the quake zone to prevent epidemics, he said. Relief funds and materials, tents in particular, are in place, Li said, stressing that the government encourages locals to invest their own resources in finding temporary shelter.

Li stressed that civilian and military rescue and relief forces should work together under the command of the local government.