At least 230 dead, 1400 injured in SW China quake

At least 230 people have been killed after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake jolted southwest China's Yunnan Province Sunday afternoon, People's Daily said on its verified Sina Weibo account.

According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the quake has also injured more than 1,400 people.

The strong quake hit at 4:30 p.m. Sunday (Beijing Time) with a depth of 12 km and the epicenter is in Longtoushan Township, 23 km southwest of the county seat of Ludian, Zhaotong City.

Casualty reports are still coming in as rescue efforts continue.

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2,500 troops rush to SW China quake zone for rescue

More than 2,500 officers and soldiers have been dispatched to join the disaster relief operation in a southwestern Chinese county after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck the area Sunday afternoon.

The Chengdu Military Area Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) started an emergency plan immediately after the quake.

As of 8 p.m. Sunday Beijing Time, over 2,500 officers and soldiers, including those in active service and reserve duty as well as militia have gone to join the quake relief, with some of them rushing to the quake-hit area. >>