A strong earthquake in southwest China has left more than 350 people dead, according to state media reports.
China's state-run news agency Xinhua tweeted Sunday that at least 367 had died, with more than a thousand injured after the 6.5 magnitude quake.
There have been varying reports on the quake's magnitude, but the U.S. Geological Survey says the quake had a magnitude of 6.1 on the Richter scale, and hit at 4:30 p.m. local time
The quake hit in a mountainous part of southwestern Yunan province, which complicates rescue operations. (Via TUBS / CC BY SA 3.0)
"This quake has happened in a very, very remote corner of southwestern China. ... It was felt most strongly in Yunan province." (Via Al Jazeera)
The region has seen powerful quakes before, like in 2012 when four earthquakes hit the area in the span of a day, killing 81 people. (Via CNN)
Xinhua reports, "The civil affairs authorities are sending 2,000 tents, 3,000 folding beds, 3,000 quilts and 3,000 coats to the quake region." That's to serve a county that has a population of more than 265,000.
And, as state broadcaster China Central Television points out, the danger's not quite over yet.
"100 more after-shakes took place in the quake zone, and the possibility of another aftershake of more than 6.5 has not yet been ruled out." (Via CCTV)
The deadliest quake to ever hit the region was more than forty years ago in 1970, when a 7.7 magnitude quake killed as many as 10 thousand people, although the government didn't report it until 18 years later. (Via The New York Times)
CNC World reports officials will convene a meeting near the quake epicenter to evaluate the situation on the ground.
