Lushan quake: rescue and relief efforts continue

Six days have passed since the devastating earthquake that struck Lushan County in southwest China's Sichuan province. The current death toll stands at 196 people, with 21 still missing, and over 1000 seriously injured. The Ministry of Civil Affairs has begun damage assessment in the quake-hit region.

Local officials say rescue work is still underway, while relief efforts continue to bring people's lives back to normal. All the roads in quake-hit areas have been repaired. Power has been restored in most places, and communication facilities are still being fixed. Nearly 60 percent of people have access to drinking water. Health authorities are also carrying out preventive measures against possible epidemics. In Lushan, all third year high school students are back in school and preparing for the national college entrance exams in June.