9 injured in SW China quake

Members of local armed police forest corps prepare to set up more tents at an evacuation site at Liantie Township in Eryuan County of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province , April 17, 2013. (Xinhua).

As of 6 p.m., at least 123,000 people have been affected by a 5.0-magnitude earthquake that jolted Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Yunnan Province on Wednesday morning, according to the prefecture government.

The epicenter of the quake, which occurred at 9:45 a.m., was located in the border area between Eryuan and Yangbi counties, with a depth of 11 km.

Preliminary statistics show that nine people sustained minor injuries and another 11,300 have been relocated to safety.

The quake destroyed 276 houses and damaged scores of others. Transportation, power, telecommunications, water supply and education facilities have also been affected, the government said.

More than 430 personnel, including armed police, firefighters and medical workers, have been dispatched to the area to assist in rescue efforts.

Yunnan provincial disaster relief and civil affairs authorities said 4,100 tents, 1,200 articles of clothing and 1,200 quilts have been sent to people affected by the quake.

In March, a 5.5-magnitude earthquake injured 30 people in Eryuan.