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)