15 Injured As Earthquake Hits Yunnan

Fifteen people were injured when a shallow earthquake hit southwestern China on Sunday afternoon and shook the popular tourist city of Lijiang.

The 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck Yunnan Province at 3:02pm, according to the provincial seismological administration.

The US Geological Survey put the magnitude at 5.4 and depth at 38 kilometres.

The epicentre was about 60 kilometres away from the county seat of Ninglang, and 3 kilometres from the nearest township of Yongning.

Sources with the Ninglang publicity department said that a number of fallen tiles from village dwellings could be spotted at the scene.

The fire brigade in Ninglang sent four vehicles and 15 people to the epicentre to investigate the disaster. A 60-member search-and-rescue team has also been assembled and dispatched. (Xinhua & AFP)