This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-22228225

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
China quake: Scores die and hundreds hurt in Sichuan China quake kills scores in rural Sichuan
(about 4 hours later)
Dozens of people have been killed and hundreds injured in a powerful earthquake in rural areas of China's south-western province of Sichuan. A powerful earthquake has killed more than 150 people and injured several thousand in China's rural south west, officials say.
The 6.6-magnitude quake wrecked buildings, cut power and blocked roads in Lushan county, killing more than 100 and injuring hundreds, officials say. The 6.6-magnitude tremor sent people fleeing from buildings across Sichuan province, which was devastated by a massive quake five years ago.
Rescuers are struggling to get through to the worst-affected areas because of aftershocks and landslides. Villages close to the epicentre in Lushan county were left in ruins.
Tens of thousands were killed in a quake that hit Sichuan in 2008. Thousands of troops have been sent to Sichuan, and Premier Li Keqiang is also travelling to the area.
The latest quake, initially reported as of 7.0 magnitude, struck at 08:02 local time (00:02 GMT). "The current most urgent issue is grasping the first 24 hours since the quake's occurrence, the golden time for saving lives," Mr Li was quoted as saying by state news agency Xinhua.
Its epicentre was in a rural area some 115km (70 miles) west of provincial capital Chengdu, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). Rescuers have been able to pull some bodies and survivors from the rubble of devastated villages.
State broadcaster CCTV showed images of injured people being taken to hospital in Lushan. But recovery efforts have been hampered by aftershocks and landslides.
Power and water supplies have been knocked out in Lushan county, and some roads are impassable.
'Everything collapsed'
The quake struck at 08:02 local time (00:02 GMT), with the China Earthquake Administration categorising it as a 7.0-magnitude and the US Geological Survey (USGS) reporting it as 6.6.
Its epicentre was 115km (70 miles) west of provincial capital Chengdu, according to the USGS.
A square outside the Lushan county hospital has been turned into a triage centre, with dozens of people being treated in tents.
State broadcaster CCTV showed images of bloodied people being treated in tents in Lushan.
One injured man told the channel: "We still live in our old house, the new one is not ready yet. Our house just collapsed. Everything collapsed."One injured man told the channel: "We still live in our old house, the new one is not ready yet. Our house just collapsed. Everything collapsed."
The quake was measured at 12km below the surface, a shallow depth that usually indicates extensive damage.The quake was measured at 12km below the surface, a shallow depth that usually indicates extensive damage.
Aerial shots of Lushan showed buildings collapsed or without roofs. CCTV footage suggested entire villages around the epicentre had been flattened.
Power has been lost in the area, water supplies have been cut and telephone lines are also down.
People in Chengdu felt the tremor and came running into the streets wrapped in blankets.People in Chengdu felt the tremor and came running into the streets wrapped in blankets.
Chengdu resident Aaron Ozment told the BBC there was huge confusion in the city.Chengdu resident Aaron Ozment told the BBC there was huge confusion in the city.
"I threw on a some clothes quickly and made my way into the courtyard of my complex," he said."I threw on a some clothes quickly and made my way into the courtyard of my complex," he said.
"Making calls was almost impossible; everybody was trying to contact everybody they knew.""Making calls was almost impossible; everybody was trying to contact everybody they knew."
Residents in the nearest city to the epicentre, Ya'an, felt jolts from the quake and aftershocks, but the city does not appear to have suffered major damage.Residents in the nearest city to the epicentre, Ya'an, felt jolts from the quake and aftershocks, but the city does not appear to have suffered major damage.
State news agency Xinhua said more than 6,000 soldiers had been despatched to help with rescue efforts. Xinhua reported that more than 6,000 soldiers had been despatched to help with rescue efforts.
Premier Li Keqiang is travelling to Sichuan to oversee the operation. Aircraft had begun flying over the area to assess the damage and deliver supplies.
"The current most urgent issue is grasping the first 24 hours since the quake's occurrence, the golden time for saving lives," Mr Li was quoted as saying by Xinhua. Five years ago a massive quake hit Sichuan, killing tens of thousands.
The 2008 disaster in Sichuan left five million people homeless. The 2008 disaster left some five million people homeless.
Many of the collapsed buildings were schools and nurseries, leading to widespread criticism of local government's planning policies.