Premier Wen Jiabao has directed rescuers to work as fast as possible in their search for survivors. He made the appeal while inspecting the disaster zone in Zhouqu County to mobilize rescue and relief efforts.

Premier Wen Jiabao and a number of State Council officials arrived in Zhouqu County, in Gansu Province Sunday afternoon. He began inspecting the disaster zone soon after their arrival.

The Premier walked through the mud and rocks, and entered the worst-hit Sanyan Valley, where a village of some 300 households was submerged by mudslides. More than 680 local residents have been rescued.

Wen then went to a rescue site where 10 soldiers from the PLA Lanzhou Military Area Command were busy saving two people trapped under debris. He exhorted the victims to hold on, and also encouraged the hard working soldiers.

Wen later inspected a barrier lake on the Bailong River, which runs through Zhouqu County. The riverbed has been raised five meters because of the mudslides, and parts of the county seat have been submerged.

Premier Wen Jiabao asked the rescue team to properly deal with the barrier lake as soon as possible.