国内英语新闻:Chinese premier urges all-out rescue efforts when inspecting mudslide-hit county in NW China

ZHOUQU, Gansu, Aug. 9 (Xinhua)-- Premier Wen Jiabao has urged rescuers to race against time to search survivors after catastrophic mudslides hit a northwest China county and left nearly 1,300 people missing Sunday.

At least 127 people have been confirmed dead and 1,294 others were reported missing in rain-triggered mudslides in Zhouqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu Province, early Sunday morning.

"For those who were buried under the debris, now it's the most crucial time to save their lives," Wen stressed during a meeting held at the county government late Sunday night.

He said the search and rescue work must not be halted as long as the possibility for finding survivors still exists.

He instructed the rescuers to locate places where most people were buried or trapped and to clean the sludge as soon as possible.

Wen also demanded that traffic, power supply and telecommunication in the county should be resumed as soon as possible.

"And people who have been evacuated should be taken good care of," Wen stressed.