Death toll rises to 367 from China quake

At least 367 people have been killed and 1,881 others injured after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake rattled southwest China's Yunnan Province Sunday afternoon, rescuers said.

In Zhaotong City, the quake has killed 296 people and injured 1,591 in Ludian County. It has also left 60 dead and 193 injured in Qiaojia County, and caused another death in the city's Zhaoyang District.

Meanwhile, in Huize County of Qujing City, it has killed 10 people and injured 97 others.

The strong quake struck at 4:30 p.m. Sunday (Beijing Time) with a depth of 12 km. The epicenter is in Longtoushan Township, 23 km southwest of the county seat of Ludian, the China Earthquake Networks Center reported.

Xi calls for saving people's lives first after deadly quake

President Xi Jinping has called for saving people's lives first after a strong earthquake rattled southwest China's Yunnan Province Sunday and killed at least 175 people.

In instructions issued late Sunday night, Xi ordered that authorities concerned give top priority to saving people's lives, minimize casualties and guarantee a proper settlement for quake victims.

He called for all-out efforts in relief operation and strengthening aftershock monitoring to prevent secondary disasters.

Premier Li Keqiang also made instructions for disaster relief, urging local authorities to try every possible means to save the injured people and those buried in rubble.

He required that local authorities provide residents in quake zone with adequate food, clothes, clean drinking water, temporary shelters and timely medical treatment.

In addition, Li called for ensuring unblocked telecommunication and transport of relief supplies and staff. Social order in the quake zone should also be maintained. >>