Beijing: At least 15 people were killed, 390 injured and one million others affected by the devastating earthquake that struck South West China's Yunnan province, the Ministry of Civil Affairs announced on July 22.

The earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale that struck Dayao county of Yunnan province late on July 21 night also flattened over 18,000 houses and caused a direct economic losses of 620 million Yuan (about $ 74.7 million).

Normal life and production of one million people have been affected, Xinhua news agency reported.

The quake struck at 8:46 hrs (IST) on July 21, and the epicentre was located at Tanhua town at 26.0 degrees North latitude and 101.2 degrees East longitude.

Over 2,000 soldiers, armed police and militia reserves were dispatched amid rainstorms to provide relief for 14 townships seriously hit by the quake.

The earthquake has cut-off the communication links of nine villages and damaged 41 village roads connecting to the outside world.

The first group from the People's Liberation Army reached the quake-stricken areas in Dayao county on July 22 to rescue those injured inside collapsed buildings and to set up makeshift tents for the victims.

PTI