The European Commission is closely monitoring the situation in the Sichuan province in China, following the earthquake that has struck less than 100 km from the provincial capital Chengdu. The Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) is in contact with the International Red Cross Federation in Geneva and its office in Bangkok has contacted the Chinese Red Cross.

Commenting on the news of the earthquake, Louis Michel, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, said: "The initial news from Sichuan is worrying. Actual information is very sketchy but it seems likely that the quake has caused substantial damage over a considerable area, and there already reports of some loss of life. We are ready to assist if the need arises."