Earthquake strikes south-west China

By Duncan Hewitt in Shanghai

At least two people have been killed and more than 600 injured in an earthquake in south-western China.

The quake, measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale, struck a mountainous region on the border of Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, affecting dozens of towns and villages.

Officials say some 2,000 homes were destroyed and more than 40 local schools damaged. Preliminary estimates put the cost of the damage at around $36m.

The quake is the latest in a series to hit the area, which is close to some of China's most famous tourist spots.

People asleep

The quake struck early on Thuesday when many people were asleep, though state media said an earthquake warning had enabled some to leave their homes in time.

The worst hit area was Ninglang county in Yunnan province. The region, some 200km east of China's border with Burma, is inhabited mainly by members of the Yi ethnic minority.

Local officials said one person died and more than 500 were injured, 27 of them seriously as their homes collapsed.

State media said reservoirs, bridges and more than 40 schools were also damaged.

In Yanyuan county in neighbouring Sichuan province, officials say that 1,000 houses had collapsed, killing at least one person and injuring around 40.

Quake-prone area

China's south-west is notorious for being earthquake prone.

Earlier this year around 50,000 homes were destroyed by two quakes in Yunnan and Sichuan, measuring 5.9 and 6.0 on the Richter scale.

Five years ago the nearby tourist resort of Lijiang was hit by a major earthquake which destroyed many of its traditional wooden buildings.

China says it is improving its earthquake warning systems but experts say that the country is currently experiencing a period of heightened seismological activity.