Earthquake strikes Sichuan-Yunnan region of southwest China

A 5 to 6 magnitude earthquake (reports on the magnitude differ) struck the Sichuan-Yunnan region of southwest China at approximately 1630 local time (0830 UTC) on 30 August 2008. Reports indicate that at least 27 people were killed and hundreds were injured by the quake. Approximately 180,000 homes and smaller buildings in rural areas of the Sichuan and Yunnan provinces reportedly collapsed or sustained damage because of the tremors. Government officials stated that some 800,000 residents in the area have been affected by the quake and several subsequent aftershocks, with approximately 40,000 people near the quake's epicenter needing to be evacuated.