China earthquake: death toll rises to 65 in Sichuan Province with aftershocks in

Aftershocks were still felt on Tuesday, state media said, a day after the US Geological Survey said a 6.6-magnitude earthquake shook the area southwest of Sichuan’s capital Chengdu at around 1 p.m. on Monday.

According to official media, so far 248 injuries have been reported and at least 12 people are still missing.

Pictures showed rescue workers transporting injured residents across temporary bridges in Luding County, near the epicenter.

The US Geological Survey said the quake’s epicenter was 43 kilometers (27 miles) southeast of the city of Kangding, which has a population of about 100,000. It added that it is estimated that more than a million residents in the surrounding areas experienced moderate tremors in the aftermath of the quake.

Some homes were badly damaged in the quake, with images emerging showing entire buildings that had collapsed into piles of bricks and wooden beams.

China activated a level 3 emergency response and dispatched rescue workers to Luoding County on Monday, according to China’s State Council. China’s CGTN broadcaster said rescue workers were helping to clear roads blocked by landslides caused by the quake.

Sichuan Province, with a population of 84 million, was already facing a very difficult summer before the strong earthquake. In the past two months, the province has suffered drought and his Worst heatwave in 60 years.

The landlocked region is prone to earthquakes due to the Langmenshan Fault, which runs through the Sichuan Mountains.

a A 7.9-magnitude earthquake hit Sichuan Province in 2008 It was one of the most devastated parts of the country. Nearly 90,000 people were killed and earthquakes were felt in cities more than 1,450 kilometers (900 miles) away.

last yeara 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit Sichuan, killing three people and injuring 60 others, according to state media at the time.

CNN’s Hannah Ritchie contributed to this report.