Friday, August 25 2006 17:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kunming (China): At least two people were killed and one injured after an earthquake measuring 5.1 degrees on the Richter scale jolted Yanjin county, in China's Yunnan province today (Aug 25, 2006).

Yunnan Provincial Civil Affairs Bureau has sent officials and earthquake experts to direct relief efforts in quake-hit areas.

Vice governor Kong Chuizhu urged local departments to assess the situation in affected areas and evacuate people to safe places.

The epicenter of the quake was located at 28 degrees north and 104.2 degrees east in the township of Dousha, 570 km from Kunming, the provincial capital.

Cheng Lianyuan, CPC secretary of Yanjin County committee, said, "The quake was strongly felt in the county.

"Some big rocks from the mountains rolled down and destroyed many parts of a road," said Cheng.

"Quite a number of homes in Dousha township were dilapidated and the streets were littered with tiles and bricks. Many residents stayed outdoors for fear of the aftershocks," said Zhang Yan, head of the county's publications department.