Wu Zhenglong, Governor of Jiangsu province, convened a meeting Saturday afternoon in Xiangshui County, the site of a deadly blast in a chemical plant that has so far claimed 64 people.
The governor ordered governments in Yancheng and competent departments to resolutely implement the instructions of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Premier Li Keqiang to make all-out rescue efforts with a strong sense of responsibility towards the people and implement the requirements on the rescue work made by Chinese State Councilor Wang Yong on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.
Saving lives is the top priority while best medical resources and experts must be organized to minimize casualties, Wu said.
Every corner must be searched over and over again for the victims, and every injured person must be rescued, the governor said.
Hazardous chemicals and pollutants must be promptly dealt with, while environmental monitoring on air, soil and drinking water must be strengthened to avoid secondary disasters, Wu said.
Wu also ordered timely and accurate disclosure of authoritative information to respond to public concerns.
Thorough probe into the blast shall be carried out in a timely manner and those responsible shall be held accountable, the governor said.
He ordered competent departments to strengthen the environmental monitoring of air, water and soil, carry out emergency plans under adverse meteorological conditions such as rainfall, ensure the safety of the ecological environment, and do a good job of on-site clean-up of hazardous chemicals, especially the tanks, pipes and waste liquid.
