The quake struck at 08:02 local time (00:02 GMT) on Saturday, with the China Earthquake Administration categorising it as a 7.0 magnitude, and the US Geological Survey (USGS) reporting it as 6.6.

BBC: China quake kills scores in rural Sichuan

The quake measured by China's seismological bureau at magnitude-7 and the U.S. Geological Survey at 6.6 struck the steep hills of Lushan county shortly after 8 a.m. toppling buildings, many of them older brick structures.

WSJ: China's Sichuan Province Hit by Strong Earthquake

The quake measured by China's earthquake administration at magnitude 7.0 and by the U.S. Geological Survey at 6.6 struck shortly after 8 a.m.

NPR: China Rushes Relief After Sichuan Quake Kills 180

Chinese authorities, responding to their first natural disaster since a Communist Party leadership change last year, appear to be moving faster this time to reach stricken areas in the aftermath of Saturday's tremor, which was measured by China's earthquake administration at magnitude 7.0 and by the U.S. Geological Survey at 6.6.

WSJ: Rescuers Work to Reach Quake Area