By XIE Yixin

The earthquake in Southwest Sichuan Province has claimed at least 65 lives and left more than 250 injured, local government agencies said Tuesday. More than 6,500 rescue workers are in attendance.

The China Earthquake Networks Center said the quake shortly after noon on Monday had a magnitude of 6.6, but later upped the figure to 6.8.

The epicenter in Luding County is close to tourist destinations Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park and Gonggar Mountain. Local tourist agencies told Jiemian News all bookings for the Mid-Autumn Festival were canceled. 

Since the majority of tour groups depart from the capital city Chengdu where a citywide lockdown is in force, few tourists are currently in Luding.