Quake Kills Scores in West China

Chinese media say at least 67 people have died and others are trapped under rubble in Qinghai province after an earthquake said to be magnitude 6.9.

The quake struck at 0749 (2349 GMT) 380km south-east of the city of Golmud, at a depth of 10km, according to US Geological Survey data. It appears that at least some of the deaths occurred in Qinghai's ethnic Tibetan Yushu county, reports BBC News.

The quake was followed by two tremors measuring 5.3 and 5.2.

"Soldiers have been dispatched to save the people buried in the collapsed houses," local official Huang Limin was quoted as saying by China's state news agency Xinhua.

More than 85% of buildings near the epicentre have collapsed, AFP news agency quoted a local official as saying.