China quake kills more than 150 in rural 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 tremor sent people fleeing from buildings across Sichuan province, which was devastated by a massive quake five years ago.

Villages close to the epicentre in Lushan county were left in ruins.

Thousands of troops have been sent to Sichuan, and Premier Li Keqiang is also travelling to the area.

"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.


Rescuers have been able to pull some bodies and survivors from the rubble of devastated villages.

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.
Source: BBC Posted by Unknown 4/20/2013