At least three people were killed and 26 injured when an earthquake measuring 6,1 on the Richter scale struck southwestern China’s Yunnan province, local officials said on Friday.
The quake occurred at 8.28pm (12.28pm) on Thursday evening with its epicentre at Liuju Township, about 180km from the provincial capital, Kunming.
”We are still assessing damages, the situation still remains unclear,” said Zhang Ruxi of the Dayao county government.
More than 12 000 homes collapsed following the quake, while preliminary damage estimates put economic losses at 500-million yuan ($60-million), Xinhua news agency said.
Chinese President Hu Jintao urged immediate emergency measures including the dispatch of rescue workers and supplies, the report said.
Dayao county was struck by an earthquake measuring 6,2 on the Richter scale in July, killing 16 people and leaving 60 injured.
The region, which lies just below the Tibetan plateau to the west, is one of China’s most earthquake-prone areas. — Sapa-AFP