BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday expressed gratitude for the efforts by the Taiwan side to rescue and assist mainland tourists trapped by the Feb. 6 earthquake.

Nine mainland tourists were killed and six injured in the 6.5-magnitude earthquake in Hualien on Feb. 6.

The Taiwan side, including Hualien county government and local rescue teams, made great efforts in rescue and medical care for the victims and assistance to their families, said An Fengshan, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, at a press conference.

The mainland authorities also initiated an emergency response after the earthquake, offering full assistance to families of the victims who wished to travel to Taiwan, An said.

The bodies of the last two mainland tourists were recovered from the ruins of a collapsed building Sunday.

The mainland closely followed the situation, with a number of organizations sending condolences and offering donations.

According to An, about 23 million yuan (3.63 million U.S. dollars) has been donated.