China earthquake: Troops join search in Yunnan province

China has sent 2,500 soldiers to the southwest province of Yunnan after an earthquake killed hundreds of people, the BBC reported.

At least 381 people died and more than 1,800 were injured when the magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck on Sunday.

Chinese troops with life-detection instruments and digging equipment are on their way to the region to help with rescue efforts.

State broadcaster CCTV said the earthquake was the strongest to hit the mountainous province in 14 years.

President Xi Jinping called for "all-out efforts" to find survivors as he dispatched soldiers to the area.

They will join more than 300 police and firefighters from Zhaotong and about 400 emergency workers and sniffer dogs from across Yunnan province in the rescue operation.

Premier Li Keqiang was also heading to the area, Xinhua news agency said.

Xinhua reported that 12,000 houses had been destroyed and about 30,000 damaged.

The government had sent 2,000 tents, 3,000 folding beds, 3,000 quilts and 3,000 coats to the disaster zone, Xinhua said.