Rescue operations are continuing after a powerful earthquake struck southwestern China.

At least 380 people have been confirmed dead in the 6.5 magnitude quake. More than 1800 are believed to have been injured.

The city of Zhaotong in Yunnan Province was one of the worst hit.

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.

Around 12,000 mostly brick homes collapsed under the force of the tremors, with thousands more damaged and structurally unsafe.

Many roads caved in, forcing rescuers to travel on foot. Some villages are still cut off.

Authorities say the earthquake is the strongest to hit the region in 14 years.