At least 17 people were injured this morning, when western China was struck by a strong earthquake, while in the land slides in the southern part of the county, caused by heavy rain, 50 people have lost their lives and another 42 have gone missing, communicated the American Geological Institute and the Chinese Ministry of Civilian Affairs. The American Geological Institute has registered the earthquake of 6.3 degrees, while according to the Chinese Center for Earthquakes, it reached 6.6 degrees on the Richter scale. The majority of the inured people are tourists. The land slides have been caused by the torrential storms that have been raging since June 20in 11 provinces and regions in southern China.