Emergency response activated for SW China earthquake

BEIJING - China's Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) activated an emergency response Tuesday morning after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit Southwest China's Sichuan province Monday night.

A special work team has been sent to the disaster-stricken areas to provide guidance in disaster relief, said the MEM.

The MEM, together with National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, dispatched 5,000 tents, 10,000 folding beds and 20,000 cotton-padded quilts to the disaster-hit areas.

As of 08:30 am Monday, 12 people have been confirmed dead and 125 injured, according to the MEM.

Safety inspection and resue efforts are underway with 116 fire fighting trucks dispatched and 526 fire fighters on the scene.

The earthquake hit Changning County of Yibin City at 10:55 pm Monday, according to local authorities.