175 killed in southwest China quake

As many as 175 people were killed and more than 1,400 injured

after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake jolted southwest China Sunday.

The strong quake hit at 4.30 p.m. Sunday with its epicentre in Ludian county in Zhaotong city of southwest China's Yunnan province, Xinhua reported.

About 181 people went missing in the earthquake, China's ministry of civil affairs said.

As many as 122 residents have been killed, more than 180 missing and 1,400 injured in Ludian county, officials said.

The quake has also led to 53 deaths in Qiaojia county of Zhaotong and nearby Huize county of Qujing city.

Moreover, over 12,000 houses have been toppled and 30,000 damaged due to the quake.

Traffic, electricity and telecommunications have been cut off in the entire Ludian county.

The only road linking Ludian and Longtoushan township has been blocked by mudslide, Xinhua quoted China Central Television as saying.

Meanwhile, the road linking Ludian to other parts of city, which were damaged by the quake, has been reopened after emergency repair, Zhaotong's road administration said.

Ma Hao, a college student, said that he saw bodies buried in ruins and helped to carry more than 40 injured people out of the collapsed buildings.

Another resident said it felt like "sailing a boat" when he was driving a car in the tremor.