Gu, who is also deputy chief of medical affairs at Luzhou Medical College hospital, the injured were being treated in four hospitals in Luzhou.

"Most of them suffered from external injuries after they fell in the wake of the shockwave of the blast or had inhaled toxic gas after the blast caused a fire,” he said.

More than 20 experts in orthopaedics and internal medicine have formed an expert panel to offer guidance for the treatment of the wounded.

"The city pledges to offer the best treatment for the injured. There is a medical team for each injured person,” said Wang Tianquan, an information officer in the city.

Compensation for the dead and injured would be on the way, he added .

Chen Zhenggang, a 55-year-old taxi driver, thought a major earthquake had jolted Luzhou when the natural gas blast took place. (www.gdqibao.cn)