— At least 379 people have been killed, and 1,881 injured after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit China’s southwestern Yunnan province on Sunday, state-run television reported.
The quake struck at 4.30 p.m. local time (4.30 a.m. Eastern). The majority of the casualties occurred in the city of Zhaotong, Ludian County.
More than 2,500 troops, both active duty soldiers and reservists, have been dispatched to the area to join the disaster relief operation, state media said.
Late Sunday night President Xi Jinping called for “all-out efforts” in relief operation, with top priority given to saving lives, minimizing casualties and providing adequate shelter for displaced victims of the disaster.
Premier Li Keqiang, who traveled to stricken areas Monday morning, echoed calls for a swift response, urging local authorities to focus attention on search and rescue and also on providing adequate supplies and medical attention for residents affected by the disaster.
Officials from Zhaotong urged people to give blood in order to make up a significant shortfall.
Some 12,000 homes were destroyed and 30,000 others were damaged, according to CCTV. Tens of thousands have been relocated from structurally unsafe houses.
Video of the site from CCTV shows rescue workers digging with their hands under several feet of rubble that included dirt, rebar and concrete blocks.
Video shows the injured adults and children being rushed to hospitals in ambulances.
Power and telephone outages were complicating assessment of the damage, rescuers said.
The epicenter of the quake was recoded in Longtoushan Township, 23 km (14 miles) southwest of Zhaotong.
The China Earthquake Networks Center reported a 6.5-magnitude earthquake. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 6.1.
The area is a mountainous region, known for its natural scenery and ethnic diversity, but is also prone to natural disasters.
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