Hundreds killed in China

At least 2,500 government troops have been deployed to Yunnan province, following Sunday afternoon's magnitude-6.1 earthquake. State media reported that 381 people had been killed, citing rescuers.

It is understood that some 1,800 people were injured, three are missing and more than 29,000 have been taken out of the area. The death toll is expected to rise, once rescuers reach remote communities.

At least 12,000 homes collapsed and 30,000 were damaged in Ludian county, near the quake's epicenter. State media reported that power lines had been severed and telecommunications services cut off.

Bad weather could complicate relief efforts, with rain and thunderstorms forecast for the area in the coming hours. Roads in the area have also caved in, complicating efforts to bring in thousands of much-needed tents, beds and blankets sent to emergency shelters.

The official Chinese news agency, Xinhua, reported that Premier Li Keqiang was on his way to Ludian on Monday to oversee relief work. It said many of the homes in the country, which has a population of almost 430,000, were old and made of brick.

The mountainous region where the disaster happened is prone to earthquakes. Farming and mining are among its top industries. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said the quake was the strongest to hit Yunnan in 14 years.

The UN said it was ready to "lend its assistance to efforts to respond to humanitarian needs" and "to mobilize any international support needed."

jr/av (AP, dpa)