BEIJING — An earthquake hit a mountainous area of southwestern China on Saturday, killing at least five people, destroying hundreds of residences and forcing thousands of people to relocate, the government and state media said.
The quake, which also injured 21 people, shook a wide area, including scenic Shangri-La and Deqen counties in Yunnan province, and Derong county in Sichuan province, just to the north.
The China Earthquake Administration said the morning quake had a magnitude of 5.9, with the U.S. Geological Survey saying it was 5.8.
The China Earthquake Information Center, citing Yunnan's provincial civil affairs department, said five people died and 17 were injured in Shangri-La and Deqen counties. Six of the injured were in serious condition.