STRONG EARTHQUAKE HITS CHINA'S YUNNAN PROVINCE

A strong 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit Yunnan Province in southwestern China on 9 July 2009. The quake was centered near the town of Guantun and struck at 1919 local time. Chinese government authorities stated that at least 300 people sustained injuries in the tremor, which caused thousands of homes to collapse. At least eight aftershocks occurred following the initial quake, and seismologists at the Chinese Earthquake Networks Centre warned that further aftershocks could occur. Rescue crews have already been dispatched to the area, and provincial officials are sending nearly 4,500 tents and relief supplies to Yunnan.