Gansu earthquake rescue on the way

Search and rescue is underway.

More than 2,000 soldiers and officers as well as two helicopters have been dispatched to the quake-hit areas.

Meanwhile, food, clothes and medicine are also on the way.

PKG

Rescuers are now racing against time to save the lives of survivors.

Evacuation is also underway to move local residents to safe place in case of secondary-disasters.

SOUNDBITE (CHINESE) RAN WANXIANG, Vice Governor, Gansu Province:

"Villages near the epicenter were hit hard. Most houses in the villages were build of mud bricks and they could not stand such a massive tremor. The top priority now is to rescue people. We're trying to get to some communities on foot as some roads are still blocked. We'll send the injured to hospitals as soon as possible."

As of 2:30 p.m., rescue teams sent by the People's Liberation Army arrived at the quake zone to help with rescue and relief work.

Earlier in the day, the China Earthquake Administration initiated an emergency-response plan. They're closely monitoring aftershocks and have sent disaster-relief teams to the affected areas.

In addition, the National Committee for Disaster Reduction and the Ministry of Civil Affairs has also launched an emergency response.

The local government and the Red Cross Society of China are sending tents, clothes and cotton sheets.

More than 50 medical staff are also on the way to the quake zone.