Two killed, 100 injured as quake hits south-western China

The USGS says that the 5.5-mag earthquake struck at a shallow depth of 9.3km.

AT LEAST TWO people have died and over 100 left injured by an earthquake in south-western China.

The magnitude-5.5 earthquake struck the Sichuan-Yunnan border region at around 9am Irish time and at a depth of 9.3km, according to the US Geological Survey. The China Earthquake Network Centre said that the quake reached magnitude 5.7 and was followed by an aftershock of 3.3.

There are reports of housing collapses, but an official in Lijian city told the AFP that it was too early to have detailed estimates of casualties or damage.

According to China’s Xinhua news agency, authorities in the affected areas have dispensed hundreds of tents, blankets and clothing to help residents in the immediate aftermath of the quake. Meanwhile, telecoms workers are also investigating the level of damage caused by the earthquake, which cut off telecoms to Yongning township in Yunnan province.

- Additional reporting by AFP

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