2011-08-10 10:24

Rescue workers inspect a collapsed house after a 5.2-magnitude earthquake hit Baoshan city in Southwest China's Yunnan province August 9, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

KUNMING - Three persons were injured and more than 40,000 people were affected by the 5.2-magnitude earthquake that hit Southwest China's Yunnan province Tuesday evening, said local authorities Wednesday.

By 3 am Wednesday, the tremor has affected 44,341 people from 10,474 households in the Baoshan city, among whom 441 were evacuated, according to provincial civil affairs department.

Three persons were injured in the quake, one of whom was in serious condition and receiving medical treatment in hospital. The two others, with slight injuries, have already left hospital.

A total of 22,823 residential houses and some other infrastructure facilities were damaged, while the total losses are being counted.

The quake, with a depth of 11 km, occurred around 7:50 pm Tuesday at the juncture area of the Baoshan's Tengchong county and Longyang district, which is about 50 km away from the city proper, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The epicenter was located at the township of Mangbang in Tengchong, which was badly hit by another 5.2-magnitude earthquake on June 20, said a spokesman with the city's publicity department.

A 480-strong rescue team is heading to the epicenter area.