More than 160 Dead, 6,700 Injured in China Earthquake
An aerial view shows houses damaged after a strong earthquake in Lushan county, Ya'an, Sichuan province, Apr. 20, 2013.
The death toll from a powerful earthquake Saturday in southwest China's Sichuan province has climbed to more than 160 people, with more than 6,700 injured.
China's official Xinhua news agency says President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out measures to rescue victims and minimize casualties following the disaster.
Chinese officials called it a 7.0-magnitude quake, while the U.S. Geological Survey put the strength at 6.6. The quake occurred at a depth of 13 kilometers.
Aerial photos released by China's military and aired on state television showed individual houses in ruins and some stretches of the county seat and villages flattened into rubble.
After the quake, state media said hard-hit parts of Lushan county were unreachable by road, with phone services cut off. Xinhua said the quake also rattled buildings in the provincial capital of Chengdu, 115 kilometers to the east.
The incident brings back painful memories for Sichuan, which suffered a 2008 earthquake that killed more than 70,000 people.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has flown to the region to oversee relief efforts.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.
Photo gallery of earthquake in China
Powerful Earthquake Hits China
1/7People stand outside a damaged house after a strong 6.6 magnitude earthquake hit, at Longmen village, Lushan county, Ya'an, Sichuan province, Apr. 20, 2013.
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake has struck the western Chinese region of Sichuan, killing more than 100 people and injuring more than 2,600. Official Xinhua news agency said that the death toll could rise as search and rescue teams make their way into affected areas.
2/7A clock is seen amidst the debris of a collapsed house after a strong 6.6 magnitude earthquake, at Longmen village, Lushan county, Ya'an, Sichuan province, Apr. 20, 2013.
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake has struck the western Chinese region of Sichuan, killing more than 100 people and injuring more than 2,600. Official Xinhua news agency said that the death toll could rise as search and rescue teams make their way into affected areas.
3/7A village woman reacts after her house was damaged by an earthquake in Lushan county, Ya'an, southwest China's Sichuan province, Apr. 20, 2013.
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake has struck the western Chinese region of Sichuan, killing more than 100 people and injuring more than 2,600. Official Xinhua news agency said that the death toll could rise as search and rescue teams make their way into affected areas.
4/7A man carries an injured woman to a temporary treatment station following an earthquake in Lushan county in Ya'an in southwest China's Sichuan province, Apr. 20, 2013.
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake has struck the western Chinese region of Sichuan, killing more than 100 people and injuring more than 2,600. Official Xinhua news agency said that the death toll could rise as search and rescue teams make their way into affected areas.
5/7People stand near a van on a road blocked by a large rock after a strong 6.6 magnitude earthquake, at Longmen village, Lushan county, Ya'an, Sichuan province, Apr. 20, 2013.
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake has struck the western Chinese region of Sichuan, killing more than 100 people and injuring more than 2,600. Official Xinhua news agency said that the death toll could rise as search and rescue teams make their way into affected areas.
6/7Men carry injured people to an ambulance at Longmen Village, Lushan county, Ya'an, Sichuan province, Apr. 20, 2013.
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake has struck the western Chinese region of Sichuan, killing more than 100 people and injuring more than 2,600. Official Xinhua news agency said that the death toll could rise as search and rescue teams make their way into affected areas.
7/7Collapsed houses are seen after an earthquake of 6.6 magnitude, on the side of a road leading from Ya'an city to Luzhou county, in Ya'an, Sichuan province, Apr. 20, 2013.
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake has struck the western Chinese region of Sichuan, killing more than 100 people and injuring more than 2,600. Official Xinhua news agency said that the death toll could rise as search and rescue teams make their way into affected areas.
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