Chinese state TV says death toll in Qinghai quake climbs to 400

Death toll in China earthquake climbs to 400

BEIJING — Chinese state television says that the death toll from a strong earthquake in a western province has climbed to 400.

CTTV quoted emergency official Pubucairen as saying Wednesday that the number of injured has risen to more than 10,000 as rescue workers struggle to dig trapped people out in Qinghai province. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake measured a magnitude of 6.9.

Rescue efforts have been hindered by telecommunications problems, with phone lines down.