In the earthquake that hit the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan this morning, two people were killed and dozens were injured, the authorities said.
The earthquake struck in Luxian County, about 120 kilometers southwest of the megalopolis of Chongqing, which has a population of about 30 million.
According to the American Geophysical Institute, the earthquake had a magnitude of 5,4, while the Chinese Earthquake Center estimates that it was a magnitude of 6,0.
"During the strong earthquake, two people were killed, three more seriously and 50 more lightly injured, and 22 houses in the district collapsed," reported the local authorities.
Many buildings were damaged and communication was interrupted in some parts of the region.
Public television CGTN showed heavily damaged houses, debris on the ground and uprooted trees in the surrounding streets.
In light rain, the rescuers set up tents in the yard of a school that had been turned into a temporary shelter.
"Due to security reasons, residents cannot return to their homes for the time being," the television reported.
A local official said that it is unlikely that a major earthquake will follow, but that there will be more minor tremors for a while.
In 2008, Sichuan province was hit by a strong earthquake of magnitude 7,9 when 87.000 people were killed or missing.
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