Some Singaporeans affected by earthquake in Sichuan but safe

SINGAPORE: Some Singaporeans visiting Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan province were affected by a strong earthquake which shook the area on Tuesday evening, according to Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
"The Singapore Consulate-General in Chengdu has reached out to e-registered Singaporeans in the affected areas. We have ascertained that all e-registered Singaporeans in Jiuzhaigou are safe," an MFA spokesman said in a statement here.
The spokesman said the Consulate-General was in close contact with the local authorities and would render the necessary assistance to the affected Singaporeans.
It was reported that the earthquake trembled a mountainous region in southwestern China near a famous national park, killing five tourists and injuring 63 other people.
The China Earthquake Networks Centre reportedly measured the earthquake at a magnitude 7.0 which struck at a depth of 12 miles (19.3km).
A Chinese local report said the quake occurred about 9.20pm at the area located on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau in northern Sichuan province, home to many Tibetan and other ethnic minority villages.
"We are saddened by the earthquake centred in Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan which has claimed lives and caused injuries.
"The Singapore government expresses its deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wish the injured a speedy recovery," the spokesman said. — Bernama