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China quake: Dozens die and hundreds hurt in Sichuan | China quake: Dozens die and hundreds hurt in Sichuan |
(about 1 hour later) | |
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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 (01:02 BST), the USGS said. | The latest quake - initially reported as a 7.0 magnitude, and then at 6.9 - struck at 08:02 local time (01:02 BST), the USGS said. |
It was felt 115km (71 miles) away in the provincial capital, Chengdu, according to China's state news agency Xinhua. | 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. | People ran into the streets wrapped in blankets, according to photos posted online. Other pictures showed buildings that had collapsed. |
A resident in Chengdu told Xinhua he had been on the 13th floor of a building when he felt the quake. The building shook for about 20 seconds and he saw tiles fall from nearby buildings. | A resident in Chengdu told Xinhua he had been on the 13th floor of a building when he felt the quake. The building shook for about 20 seconds and he saw tiles fall from nearby buildings. |
Electrical and water supplies have reportedly been cut to the affected area, the BBC's Martin Patience reports from Beijing. | Electrical and water supplies have reportedly been cut to the affected area, the BBC's Martin Patience reports from Beijing. |
Telephone lines are also believed to be down. | Telephone lines are also believed to be down. |
Xinhua said 2,000 soldiers had been despatched to the area to help with rescue efforts. | Xinhua said 2,000 soldiers had been despatched to the area to help with rescue efforts. |
The city of Ya'an, close to the epicentre, has a population of 1.5 million. | The city of Ya'an, close to the epicentre, has a population of 1.5 million. |
The USGS noted that "significant" casualties were likely and that "extensive damage is probable and disaster is likely widespread". | The USGS noted that "significant" casualties were likely and that "extensive damage is probable and disaster is likely widespread". |
"Past events with this alert level have required a national or international level response," it added. | |
The 2008 disaster in Sichuan left five million people homeless. | The 2008 disaster in Sichuan left five million people homeless. |