China Quake: Dozens Die and Hundreds Hurt in Sichuan
A powerful earthquake has killed at least 46 people and injured at least 400 in China’s south-western province of Sichuan, state TV reports.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake, which had a 6.6 magnitude, was centred 50km (31 miles) west of the town of Linqiong.
It said the tremor occurred at a depth of 12km (7.4 miles). There are fears the death toll could rise further.
An 8.0 magnitude quake in Sichuan in May 2008 killed nearly 90,000 people.
The latest quake - initially reported as a 7.0 magnitude, and then at 6.9 - struck at 08:02 local time (00:02 GMT), the USGS said.
It was felt 115km (71 miles) away in the provincial capital, Chengdu, according to China’s state news agency Xinhua.
People ran into the streets wrapped in blankets, according to photos posted online. Other pictures showed buildings that had collapsed.