At least 12 people were killed and 135 others were injured when a 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit southwestern China, officials said.

Rescue efforts are underway as the Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management said hundreds of firefighters arrived and had rescued eight trapped people.

The 6.0 magnitude earthquake and a 5.1 magnitude aftershock struck the area in Sichuan province late Monday night and aftershocks have continued into Tuesday.

While more than 4,400 people have been evacuated from the area, local news outlets reported most of the deaths were caused by damage to houses.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that a hospital in Changning county had transferred all of its patients because of building damage.

TV footage showed rescuers pulling injured people from the rubble of collapsed buildings. And more than 4,000 people have had to be relocated because their homes were destroyed or damaged, state media reported.

China Central Television showed the aftermath of a landslide that had blocked a road and left a lorry engulfed in debris.

Several major roads were damaged including the highway between Yibin city and Xuyong county, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

The firefighters and rescue teams deployed to the area are said to be bringing in 5,000 tents, 10,000 folding cots and other supplies, the authorities said.

The Biblical prophecies (Matthew 24, Luke 21) foretell that earthquakes will be a sign of the Last Days indicating the coming end of the age and the nearing appearance of Jesus Christ.

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