An earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale hit Ludian County in southwest Yunnan Province at 21:38 p.m. Wednesday, and left 20 farmers injured, according to the State Seismological Bureau.

Two were seriously injured, and the other 18 suffered flesh wounds. As of 13:00 p.m. Thursday, rescue teams and medical staff had arrived at the stricken area, mobilized by the provincial government.

Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu instructed the provincial government to monitor the latest developments in the situation and relief work. He said that the State Seismological Bureau must monitor the earthquake thoroughly and the Ministry of Civil Affairs should help the Yunnan government with the relief efforts.

Nobody was killed in the quake, thanks to a regular forecast from the state seismological bureau, and the vigilance of the local government.

The epicenter of the quake is located at 27.12 degrees north latitude, 103.38 degrees east longitude, some 255 km north of Kunming, the provincial capital.

Part of the houses in the county collapsed, with school buildings seriously damaged in the two consecutive tremors. The first batch of relief materials, including 1,000 tents and 2,000 quilts, has already reached the area.

Ludian County, with a population of 370,000, is among the country's poorest areas, and is under state support.

(Xinhua News Agency November 27, 2003)