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Xi orders all-out rescue efforts in wake of deadly extreme weather

Xinhua, June 24, 2016 Adjust font size:

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out rescue efforts and the prioritization of life-saving measures, after at least 78 people were confirmed killed in one of the deadliest natural disasters to hit east China's Jiangsu Province in decades Thursday.

Downpours, hailstorms and the worst tornado since 1966 battered parts of Yancheng City at 2:30 p.m., destroying homes and trapping hundreds of villagers in the rubble.

More deaths are feared, as search and rescue continued into Friday. About 500 people were injured, of which 200 were in critical conditions, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Xi, who is in Uzbekistan for a state visit and to attend a two-day SCO summit, ordered the State Council to dispatch a working group to Jiangsu to oversee relief work.

Authorities must make their utmost efforts to reduce casualties and facilitate resettlement of those affected by the extreme weather, he said.

They must also strengthen meteorological monitoring and geological disaster assessment. Endi