Rescuers transport injured people after an earthquake in Ludian County of Zhaotong City in southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 3, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

At least 398 people have been killed after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake rattled Southwest China's Yunnan province Sunday afternoon, rescuers said.

The strong quake struck at 4:30 p.m. Sunday (Beijing Time) with a depth of 12 km. The epicenter is in Longtoushan Township, 23 km southwest of the county seat of Ludian, the China Earthquake Networks Center reported.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, there are more than 57-thousand residents across the region who need to be moved for safety reasons.

Jiang Haikun is an official from the Center.

"The geological conditions in Ludian County are very complicated. It is also a populous area. These factors have posed huge challenges to earthquake prevention and disaster relief work. Following the earthquake, we have met with local earthquake administrations. It is expected that in the coming few days, the area is likely to see strong aftershocks ranging from 5 to 6 magnitude."

More than 12-thousand homes have been destroyed. At least 30-thousand others have been damaged. The quake has also cut traffic, electricity, and telecommunications in Ludian County.

Local authorities have dispatched more than 7,000 rescuers to the quake zone, including troops, police officers, fire-fighters and government officials.

They were joined by more than 2,500 troops sent by the Chengdu Military Area Command of the People's Liberation Army, and 60 medical workers and 90 rescuers sent by authorities in the neighboring Sichuan Province.

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