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Strong quake kills at least 26 in southwest China

In this photo taken by cellphone and released by China's Xinhua News Agency, men at rubbles of buildings look for survivors after an earthquake in Ludian County of Zhaotong City in southwest China's Yunnan Province Sunday, Aug. 3, 2014. A strong earthquake rattled southwest China on Sunday, knocking out communication and power lines and causing people to rush out of buildings, but there were no immediate reports of injuries. (AP Photo/Xinhua/Hu Chao) NO SALES In this photo taken by cellphone and released by China's Xinhua News Agency, men at rubbles of buildings look for survivors after an earthquake in Ludian County of Zhaotong City in southwest China's Yunnan Province Sunday, Aug. 3, 2014. A strong earthquake rattled southwest China on Sunday, knocking out communication and power lines and causing people to rush out of buildings, but there were no immediate reports of injuries. (AP Photo/Xinhua/Hu Chao) NO SALES

By Associated Press August 3, 2014 1 min read

BEIJING (AP) – A strong earthquake in southwestern China has killed at least 26 people and injured 79.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude-6.1 quake hit Yunnan province at 4:30 p.m. Sunday at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles). The China Earthquake Networks Center said the magnitude was 6.5.

China’s official Xinhua News Agency and state broadcaster CCTV both reported that at least 26 people died and 79 were injured in the quake. An official with Qiaojia county in Yunnan province confirmed those figures.

CCTV said the quake was the strongest to hit Yunnan in 14 years.