The number of people killed by earthquakes in China increased to more than 200

Chinese media reported that authorities found 203 bodies and about 11,500 people were injured by the earthquake in Sichuan province on April 20.

>>>Strong earthquake in Sichuan, 152 people died

A group of Chinese soldiers participated in rescue operations in Lo district
Son, Sichuan Province after the earthquake on April 20 morning. (Photo: China Daily)

Rescuers are racing against time to save those still trapped in the rubble after the earthquake in Nha An city, Lo Son district, Sichuan province on the morning of April 20. Prime Minister Li Keqiang directed rescue operations and visited earthquake victims. He claimed to save lives as a top priority, and asked local authorities to search in every house and rubble to ensure that they did not miss any victims, Xinhua reported.

The latest statistics from Chinese state media reported that, as of this afternoon, rescuers found 203 people were killed and 11,500 people injured by the earthquake. Rescue forces and professional dogs are trying to find people trapped in remote areas.

Aftershock continues to appear in Lo Son district. The National Meteorological Center predicts that rain will fall to the area affected by the earthquake from April 22 to 24. Not only hindering rescue efforts, rains can also cause some natural disasters such as landslides and floods.

The telecommunication network in the seismic region is still interrupted so authorities cannot accurately assess the level of damage caused by the earthquake.