A strong earthquake struck the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan on Saturday , killing at least 179 people and injuring about 6,700 others in a region that suffered a catastrophic quake five years ago , the state-run Xinhua news agency reported Sunday . NEW : The death toll rises to at least 179 , authorities say . About 6,700 people are reported to have been injured . Comment: The quake struck about 70 miles from the city of Chengdu in Sichuan .
NEW : The death toll rises to at least 179 , authorities say . About 6,700 people are reported to have been injured . Comment: The quake struck about 70 miles from the city of Chengdu in Sichuan .