Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday ordered troops to expand the coverage of their quake rescue work and reach all affected villages within 24 hours.

Troops must "overcome all difficulties and make sure to go into all villages within 24 hours," Wen said, presiding over a meeting of the general headquarters of quake relief under the State Council (cabinet).

Wen, who heads the relief headquarters, was briefed during the meeting on the rescue of trapped people, treatment of the injured, the handling of victims' bodies and health and epidemic prevention work in the quake areas.

He also gave directions on epidemic prevention and the handling of the aftermath of the earthquake.

The death toll rose to 34,073 as of noon on Monday, according to the headquarters under the State Council. Another 245,108 people were injured in the 8-magnitude quake that jolted southwestern Sichuan Province last Monday.

(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2008)