Rescue operations are continuing after a powerful earthquake struck southwestern China.<br /><br />At least 380 people have been confirmed dead in the 6.5 magnitude quake. More than 1800 are believed to have been injured.<br /><br />The city of Zhaotong in Yunnan Province was one of the worst hit.<br /><br />Hundreds of firefighters are searching for survivors with the help of sniffer dogs. A professional rescue team of 100 people has also been flown in from Beijing and local authorities have dispatched 6,000 troops to help.<br /><br />Around 12,000 mostly brick homes collapsed under the force of the tremors, with thousands more damaged and structurally unsafe.<br /><br />Many roads caved in, forcing rescuers to travel on foot. Some villages are still cut off.<br /><br />Authorities say the earthquake is the strongest to hit the region in 14 years.
