An earthquake, measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale, occurred in southwest China's Yunnan Province at 5: 10 a.m. Thursday, killing one person and injuring 566.
The epicenter was located in Yongning Village, Ninglang Yi Autonomous County in the province, at 27.38 degrees north latitude and 100.48 degrees east longitude, it was reported.
More than 600 head of livestock were killed and large housing areas of homes, 40 schools, 11 reservoirs, four power plants and six bridges were also damaged by the earthquake, local sources reported.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the economic loss due to the earthquake has amounted to over 100 million yuan (12 million US dollars).
Emergency teams providing medical services, civil administration and construction have arrived in earthquake jolted areas to rescue those injured and restore order.
Ninglang is about 600 kilometers away from Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province.
An earlier earthquake forecast along with the local administrations' experiences in rescue work jointly contributed to reduce casualties in the disaster, a local official said.
(People's Daily 05/25/2001)
