A magnitude 6.6 earthquake has struck the western Chinese region of Sichuan, killing more than 100 people and injuring more than 2,600. Official Xinhua news agency said that the death toll could rise as search and rescue teams make their way into affected areas.

David Tidmore, with the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce, is one of several Northwest Georgians in China but says that the earthquake was several hundred miles in Western China and that the group traveling from Georgia is nowhere near the devastation. 

Tidmore and the group are on a nine day trip to China at the invitation of Chinese manufacturing and trade officials.