Eighteen injured in M5.0 quake in SW China's Tonghai County

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A magnitude 5.0 earthquake has jolted Tonghai County, southwest China's Yunnan Province on early Monday morning, injuring 18 people.

The quake, occurred at around 1:44 a.m. BJT with a depth of seven kilometers, was the highest of a series of quakes that shook the region on Monday.

As of 6:30 p.m.on Monday, the number of injured has risen to 18 from 8 as relief work continues, provincial authority said.

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Rescue and relief work underway following a M5.0 earthquake in Tonghai County, southwest China's Yunnan Province on August 13./ VCG Photo

Some 48,000 people from Tonghai County, nearby Huaning County and Jiangchuan District were also affected by the quakes.

Authorities also said over 6,000 properties were damaged.

Following the earthquakes, a Level-three earthquake emergency alert has been activated. Rescue and relief work is underway.

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