An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale hit the Wenshan
County in southwest China's Yunnan
Province at 12:58 Saturday, according to local government.
Injuries have been reported in seven townships of Wenshan
County. The earthquake has also toppled some houses. However, the
exact number of injuries and economic losses is unavailable, the
county government of Wenshan said.
The epicenter was located at 23.5 degrees north latitude and
104.1 degrees east longitude, an area where Matang, Binglie and
Hongdian townships meet.
The State Seismological Bureau has sent four experts to the
affected area. Hu Yonglong, deputy director of the Yunnan
Provincial Seismological Bureau, has led a 28-member team to the
quake-stricken areas for investigating the condition of the quake.
And the local civil affairs department has also sent a work team to
direct rescue work.
The province's Huize County also experienced a quake measuring
5.3 on the Richter scale on Aug. 6 and nine people were
injured.
(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2005)