State TV: 300 people killed by magnitude 6.9 temblor in China’s western province of Qinghai

TV report: Quake in western China kills 300

BEIJING — Chinese state television says the death toll from a strong earthquake in a western province has risen to about 300, with an additional 8,000 hurt.

China Central Television said the toll from Wednesday’s earthquake had risen as rescue workers struggled to dig trapped people out in Qinghai province. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake measured a magnitude of 6.9.

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