• World

Earthquake in China Kills at Least 589

1 minute read

Update: Aug. 6, 10:05 a.m. ET

At least 589 people were killed after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit a rural area of Yunnan province on Aug. 3, causing several buildings to collapse. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake was less than a mile below the ground.

An injured child walks past rescuers heading towards the epicenter of an earthquake that struck the town of Longtoushan in Ludian county in southwest China's Yunnan province, Aug. 4, 2014
An injured child walks past rescuers heading towards the epicenter of an earthquake that struck the town of Longtoushan in Ludian county in southwest China's Yunnan province, Aug. 4, 2014AP
A helicopter flies above collapsed houses after a magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit Longtoushan town, Ludian county, Zhaotong, Yunnan province on Aug. 4, 2014.
A helicopter flies above collapsed houses after a magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit Longtoushan town, Ludian county, Zhaotong, Yunnan province on Aug. 4, 2014. China Stringer Network/Reuters
CHINA-YUNNAN-EARTHQUAKE-RESCUE (CN)
Rescuers cary an injured person in the quake-hit Longtoushan Town of Ludian County in Zhaotong City, southwest China's Yunnan Province on Aug. 4, 2014. Xue Yubin—Xinhua/Sipa
Rescue workers are transported into an earthquake zone on a front loader in Ludian county, Zhaotong, Yunnan province
Rescue workers are transported into an earthquake zone on a front loader in Ludian county, Zhaotong, Yunnan province, August 5, 2014. Wong Campion—Reuters
Liu cries as his daughter wipes his tear after an earthquake killed Liu's wife and two other children in Ludian county
Liu Jiali (front L) cries as his daughter (C) wipes his tear after an earthquake killed Liu's wife and two other children in Longtoushan township of Ludian county, Yunnan province on Aug. 4, 2014. Wong Campion—Reuters
A helicopter flies over rescue workers at the epicenter of Sunday's earthquake that struck the town of Longtoushan in Ludian County in southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 4, 2014.
A helicopter flies over rescue workers at the epicenter of Sunday's earthquake that struck the town of Longtoushan in Ludian County in southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 4, 2014.AP
Rescuers search for survivors as they walk among debris of collapsed buildings after an earthquake hit Longtoushan township of Ludian county
Rescuers search for survivors as they walk among debris of collapsed buildings after an earthquake hit Longtoushan township of Ludian county, Yunnan provinceon Aug. 4, 2014. Wong Campion—Reuters
Rescuers carry an injured boy on a makeshift stretcher after an earthquake hit Longtoushan township of Ludian county, Yunnan province on Aug. 4, 2014.
Rescuers carry an injured boy on a makeshift stretcher after an earthquake hit Longtoushan township of Ludian county, Yunnan province on Aug. 4, 2014.Wong Campion—Reuters
Paramilitary policemen evacuate injured man after deadly earthquake hit Longtoushan town, Ludian county, Zhaotong, Yunnan province
Paramilitary policemen evacuate an injured man after a deadly earthquake hit Longtoushan town, Ludian county, Zhaotong, Yunnan province on Aug. 3, 2014. China Daily/Reuters
Children are treated at a hospital in Ludian county, after a magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit Zhaotong, Yunnan province on Aug. 3, 2014. The earthquake struck southwestern China on Sunday, killing at least 367 people and leaving 1,881 injured in a remote area of Yunnan province, and causing thousands of buildings, including a school, to collapse.
Children are treated at a hospital in Ludian county, after a magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit Zhaotong, Yunnan province on Aug. 3, 2014. China Stringer Network/Reuters
Rescuers and a villager walk past rubbles from destroyed houses following a massive earthquake in the town of Longtoushan in Ludian County in southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 5, 2014.
Rescuers and a villager walk past rubbles from destroyed houses following a massive earthquake in the town of Longtoushan in Ludian County in southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 5, 2014. Andy Wong—AP
Rescuers search for buried people at the quake-hit area on Aug. 4, 2014 in Zhaotong, China. A 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit Zhaotong's Ludian county on Sunday, killing at least 398 people.
Rescuers search for buried people at the quake-hit area on Aug. 4, 2014 in Zhaotong, China. A 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit Zhaotong's Ludian county on Sunday, killing at least 398 people. ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images
A man holds a picture as he stands among debris after an earthquake hit Longtoushan township of Ludian county
A man holds a picture as he stands among debris of collapsed buildings after an earthquake hit Longtoushan township of Ludian county, Yunnan provinceon Aug. 4, 2014. Wong Campion—Reuters

More Must-Reads From TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com