White House says US ready to help China in quake relief

The White House on Sunday offered condolences over loss of lives in China's southwestern province of Yunnan, where a strong earthquake befell earlier in the day, saying the United States was ready to help.

"The United States offers sincere condolences to all those who lost loved ones in the Aug 3 earthquake in southwestern China," National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said in a statement.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those that lost their lives, those injured or displaced, and all the people of China on this difficult day," she added.

She said US disaster response officials were in contact with their Chinese counterparts and the US "stands ready to assist."

A massive relief effort is underway in Yunnan, as the death toll has risen to at least 379, with more than 1880 others injured in the 6. 5-magnitude earthquake.

379 dead as strong quake hits SW China  

In Zhaotong, the quake has left 302 people dead in Ludian, 66 dead in Qiaojia County and caused another death in the city's Zhaoyang District, according to the Yunnan Provincial Department of Civil Affairs.

Meanwhile, in Huize county of the neighboring Qujing city, the quake has killed 10 people. >>>