An earthquake measuring 5,6 on the Richter scale rocked south-west China on Tuesday, leaving three people dead and more than 250 injured, officials said.
The quake hit Ludian county in Yunnan province at 6.26pm local time, about 255km north of the provincial capital, Kunming, Xinhua news agency quoted the State Seismological Bureau as saying.
A duty staff member at the State Seismological Bureau said there were so far three deaths and more than 250 people injured.
He said more injuries are expected, adding that houses have been damaged, although no further details were immediately available.
It is the third earthquake to hit Ludian county in a year.
Two earthquakes measuring 5,1 and 5 on the Richter scale hit the county on November 15 and 26 2003, killing four and injuring 120. — Sapa-AFP