China quake toll rises to 410

Beijing, Aug 5: The toll in the earthquake that rattled southwest China's Yunnan province Sunday has gone up 410, officials said tuesday

At least 2,373 others have been injured in tne quake that measdured 6.5 on the Richter scale, Xinhua reported.

The tremor, the strongest to hit the region in 14 years, struck at 4.30 p.m. Sunday, with its epicentre in Longtoushan township and Ludian county in Zhaotong City.

Nearly 80,000 houses in the areas have collapsed and 230,000 people have been evacuated.

Thousands of police, fire fighters and soldiers have been deployed for rescue efforts.

IANS