An earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale has rocked Yunnan Province in southwest China according to the China Seismological Bureau. At least 16 people were reported dead and hundreds were injured in the quake, which occurred in Dayao County, some 180 kilometers away from the provincial capital city of Kunming late on Monday night. A number of buildings and residential houses collapsed, and the quake was also felt by the nearby counties.

Disaster relief work was immediately commenced, and the local authorities have dispatched rescue teams to all the affected areas. The provincial government has also sent two teams consisting of officials and experts to the county.

(CCTV.com July 22, 2003)