Quick response to southwest China's earthquake

Within 9 hours, emergency services were able to successfully rescue all those injured after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit southwest China's Kangding County in Sichuan Province.

Xinhua reporters arrived at the People's Hospital of Garze in Kangding County at 2 a.m. Sunday, seven hours after departing from the provincial capital of Chendu. The roads were still accessible.

A doctor at the hospital, Li Tao, confirmed that one patient had undergone surgery while another two were being treated for spine and head injuries.

Kungar Como, 20, and her grandmother were at home in Tagong when the earthquake struck.

Tagong was the epicenter of Saturday's quake, which is 37 km from the county seat.

"We felt a strong tremor, so I helped my grandmother outside. But she was hit by a collapsing wall," said Kungar. "People soon came to our aid and she was on her way to hospital about half an hour after the quake."

There have been four confirmed deaths, and 54 injured as of 11:30 am Sunday since the quake struck at 4:55 pm Saturday.

Six of the injured were in critical condition, while another five had severe injuries. The remaining 43 people suffered minor injuries, according to the prefecture government.

More than 79,500 people were affected and 25,000 houses were damaged. About 6,200 people had been relocated.

A 35-member rescue team from the police arrived at Tagong two hours after the quake occurred. Six military aircraft, 60 medical staff and nearly 1,000 soldiers and militia remain on standby.

The Central Earthquake Administration and Sichuan Provincial Earthquake Administration launched a Grade II emergency response and sent work teams to Kangding.

Power facilities, tents and quilts have been sent to the worst affected areas.

Sichuan, which neighbors Tibet Autonomous Region, has a history of earthquakes. A massive 8.0-magnitude earthquake struck Wenchuan on May 12, 2008, resulting in more than 80,000 people dead or missing. On April 20, 2013, a 7.0-magnitude quake hit Lushan, killing at least 196.