(VOV) - At least 47 people have been confirmed dead and 500 more injured following a powerful earthquake in south western China.

People were evacuated from the earthquake-hit area          Source: VOV/Reuters

Almost five years since Sichuan Province was hit by a devastating earthquake, the region has been struck again. The quake, measuring magnitude 6.6 on the Richter scale struck not far from the location of the devastating 2008 quake, at 8am local time. Buildings have collapsed at the epicentre in Longmen Town and also in nearby Lushan. Roads and bridges in the disaster zone have also collapsed. Emergency workers are rushing to the worst hit areas where roads and bridges have collapsed.