One person was killed and 31 injured by a moderate earthquake that struck southwestern China, toppling buildings and forcing thousands of people from their homes. More than 1,500 houses were destroyed when the quake, measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, struck the counties of Yanjin, Daguan, Yiliang and Suijiang in Yunnan province at midday Friday, Xinhua news agency quoted the Ministry of Civil Affairs as saying Saturday.
It said that 10 of the injured were in serious condition, and added that 45,520 people had been relocated.
"Many houses collapsed and water, electricity, communication and transport facilities have been damaged," Xinhua quoted a ministry notice as saying.
Provincial authorities had delivered tents, food and medicine to the quake zone, it said.
