At least 12 people have been confirmed dead and rescue efforts are under way after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck near Yibin city in southwest China.

The earthquake struck Sichuan province late on Monday night and was followed by aftershocks into Tuesday morning, one of which registered at a magnitude of 5.1.

The city's press office said more than 70 houses had collapsed and that at least 134 people were injured. Rescue officials said hundreds of firefighters had been deployed in the area and eight people had been pulled free from destroyed homes.

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

Cracks appeared in several streets, according to the state’s Xinhua news agency, while a major road connecting Yibin and neighbouring Xuyong county was closed.

6.0 magnitude earthquake strikes China's south: In Pictures Show all 9 1 /9 6.0 magnitude earthquake strikes China's south: In Pictures 6.0 magnitude earthquake strikes China's south: In Pictures Rescue workers search for survivors in the rubble following the earthquake in Yibin, China on June 18 Reuters 6.0 magnitude earthquake strikes China's south: In Pictures Rescue workers search a collapsed house after earthquakes hit Changning county in Yibin, China on June 18 AP 6.0 magnitude earthquake strikes China's south: In Pictures A building damaged in the earthquake in Changning county in Sichuan province, China on June 18 EPA 6.0 magnitude earthquake strikes China's south: In Pictures Interior of a house damaged in the earthquake in Changning county in Sichuan province, China on June 18 Reuters 6.0 magnitude earthquake strikes China's south: In Pictures Members of the Sichuan armed police carry an injured person to a medical aid point in the disaster area in Yibin, China on June 18 EPA 6.0 magnitude earthquake strikes China's south: In Pictures A building damaged in the earthquake in Changning county in Sichuan province, China on June 18 EPA 6.0 magnitude earthquake strikes China's south: In Pictures Evacuees take sanctuary in a school after the Rescue workers are seen on a collapsed house after earthquakes hit Yibin, China on June 18 Reuters 6.0 magnitude earthquake strikes China's south: In Pictures Police officers load disaster relief packages off a truck at a temporary sanctuary for evacuees affected by the Earthquake in Changning county, China on June 18 EPA 6.0 magnitude earthquake strikes China's south: In Pictures Rescue workers are seen on a collapsed house after earthquakes hit Changning county in Yibin, China on June 18 Reuters

Officials said more than 4,000 people were being moved to safety due to damage to buildings.

Xinhua reported that an early warning system activated in the state capital, Chengdu, around one minute before the earthquake. A siren rang out in Yibin around 10 seconds before the quake hit, the news agency reported.