NEW : The death toll rises to at least 200 , some say . About 6,700 people are reported to have been injured . 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 . Chinese politician Li Jun travels to the area . The quake occurred about 70 miles from the city of Chengdu in Sichuan .
NEW : The death toll rises to at least 200 , some say . About 6,700 people are reported to have been injured . Chinese politician Li Jun travels to the area . The quake occurred about 70 miles from the city of Chengdu in Sichuan .