Death toll rises to 11 in SW China earthquake

A 6.0-magnitude quake hits Changning County of Yibin City in southwest China's Sichuan Province, at 10:55 p.m. Monday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). The epicenter, with a depth of 16 km, was monitored at 28.34 degrees north latitude and 104.90 degrees east longitude, the CENC said in a formal report. (Xinhua/Qin Ying)

CHENGDU, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Eleven people died and another 122 were injured after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit southwest China's Sichuan Province on Monday night, the Yibin city government said early Tuesday.

The earthquake hit Changning County of Yibin at 10:55 p.m. Monday (Beijing Time), according to local authorities.

The epicenter, with a depth of 16 km, was monitored at 28.34 degrees north latitude and 104.90 degrees east longitude, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

Rescue efforts are under way. The Ministry of Emergency Management has activated an emergency response and sent a work team to the stricken areas to provide guidance in rescue and disaster relief.

The ministry and the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration have dispatched 5,000 tents, 10,000 folding beds and 20,000 quilts to the quake-hit areas.

A team of rescuers sent by Red Cross Society of Sichuan Province arrived in Shuanghe township of Changning at about 4 a.m. Tuesday.

As of 1 a.m. Tuesday, the quake has caused a major highway connecting Yibin and Xuyong County of Sichuan's Luzhou City to be closed. Some sections of other roads have also been blocked or closed.

A 5.3-magnitude earthquake rattled Changning County at 7:34 a.m. Tuesday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The epicenter was monitored at 28.37 degrees north latitude and 104.89 degrees east longitude, the CENC said in an initial report.