Minor quake in southwest China

Beijing: A 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck southwest China early today affecting over 10,000 people though no casualties were reported.

The quake, at a depth of six kilometres, hit Mojiang Hani Autonomous County in Yunnan province at 6:37 am. No casualties have been reported so far.

A total of 276 houses were damaged, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Disaster-relief is underway and losses are being assessed.

Yunnan is prone to earthquakes as it forms part of the circum-Pacific seismic belt known as the Pacific Ring of Fire and the Eurasia seismic belt.

In August, a 6.5-magnitude quake caused damage to life and property in the area.