5.5-magnitude quake hits Yunnan, 30 injured

KUNMING - Authorities are counting the damage after a 5.5-magnitude quake jolted southwest China's Yunnan Province, a local official said on Sunday.

Latest statistics showed more than 30 people were injured, 2,500 houses were damaged and 700 others collapsed, but no human fatalities have been reported yet, said the provincial earthquake bureau.

Residents felt the quake strongly after it hit Eryuan county, Dali Bai autonomous prefecture at 1:41 pm with its epicenter 9 km deep.

A resident said he and his family rushed out of their house when feeling the tremor, and later returned, finding no articles fell onto the floor.

An Eryuan county official said that relevant departments are checking whether the quake caused any casualties or property losses.

The Yunnan provincial earthquake bureau will send a team to the quake-hit area.

In February, eight people were injured after a 4.9-magnitude quake hit the border area of Yunnan and Sichuan provinces.