The relocation of about 100,000 people in quake-hit Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Qinghai Province must be done safely and not at a great distance, a Chinese official said Thursday.

Zou Ming, director of the disaster relief department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, told a press conference that it was unnecessary to relocate the quake-affected people to regions far away.

He said efforts must be made to help them organize their lives, and disaster-affected people could either choose to get help from relatives and friends or the government.

Zou said efforts must be made to prevent aftershocks and related accidents causing further casualties and damage.

The Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu was jolted by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake Wednesday, leaving 617 people dead and 313 missing.

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