13 killed in Sichuan 7.0-magnitude quake

Death toll from the 7.0-magnitude earthquake which struck a remote area in southwest China's Sichuan Province Tuesday night has risen to 13, according latest Xinhua reports.

As of 9:30 a.m., the quake has left 13 people killed, 175 others injured.

The earthquake jolted Jiuzhaigou County at 9:19 p.m. Tuesday (Beijing Time), and the epicenter was monitored at 33.2 degrees north latitude and 103.82 degrees east longitude. The quake struck at a depth of 20 km, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The China Earthquake Administration has activated level-I emergency response procedures, with work teams sent to the stricken area to carry out emergency operations.

China has a four-level earthquake emergency response system, with level-I being the top.

The Red Cross Society of China has also launched its emergency response procedures, sending 1,000 first aid kits, 2,000 quilts and 200 tents to the area.

The Western Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has activated an emergency response and a total of 33 people carrying communication facilities including maritime satellites are rushing to Jiuzhaigou County, the epicenter.

Editor: Eric Wang