Dedicated reporter Chen Ying didn’t let her wedding day get in the way of reporting a major news story. She was having her make-up put on at a photographic studio just before her ceremony when a devastating 6.6 magnitude earthquake struck the city of Ya’an.

After a quick call back to the office she met her cameraman and started doing a live piece to camera.

‘I am standing at the Holiday Plaza. Fifteen minutes ago, a strong quake struck. But there haven’t been casualties in this area where I am standing,’ she said.

‘Our residents in Ya’an have taken effective measures to prevent damages. I hope our city will be safe.’

Not surprisingly Ms Chen, went viral online very quickly.

Aisle be there: TV journalist Chen Ying interviews a woman as she reports by the roadside in her gown (Picture: Reuters)

She asked one woman what she was doing when the quake struck, to which she replied: ‘I was getting fuel for my car. My first feeling was this earthquake was stronger than the May 12 quake (in 2008).

‘I feel pretty calm now. I feel much better after going through the May 12 earthquake.’

Ms Chen asked another woman whether she was scared and she said: ‘Yes, I am still a bit in shock. I called around trying to find out where the epicentre is.’

After ten minutes of interviews Ms Chen continued with her wedding. But like a true professional she returned to work after the brief ceremony on Saturday.

Hundreds of residents spent the weekend sleeping in their cars and makeshift shelters after the quake struck. Remote rural areas will be difficult to search and some hospitals are operating in the outdoors, fearful that their buildings may crumble in aftershocks.

The Ya’an quake is the worst in China since the 2008 disaster, leaving hundreds of people dead and thousands injured.

The 2008 quake saw around 68,000 people lose their lives. So far 203 people have been reported killed with 11,500 injured, state media said. (REUTERS)