Earthquake hits south-west China, at least 367 dead

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 struck south-western China on Sunday, killing at least 367 people.

Many of those killed were from the Yunnan province in a remote area. Buildings, including a school, collapsed as a result of the quake reported the Associated Press and Reuters.

As the quake hit, people exited buildings and ran out into the street. Rescuers are rushing to the scene where around 80 people were injured, and some trapped underneath the ruble.

About 12,000 homes collapsed in Ludian, which is located north-east of Yunnan province’s capital, Kunming. However, many of the causalities are in Qiaojia County, reported BBC News.

One resident, Ma Liya, said the streets resembled a “battlefield after bombardment.” Folding beds, tens and quilts were being sent by the government to the area hit.

Communication in the area was difficult due to the damage by the quake.

South-west China is prone to earthquakes. Six years ago an earthquake in Sichuan killed almost 70,000 people.

In 1970, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake killed at least 15,000 people in Yunnan.

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