An earthquake measuring 5.1 degrees on the Richter Scale killed at least 19 people in Yanjin county in southwestern China's Yunnan province on Saturday morning, according to local seismological department.

The epicenter of the quake, which occurred at 9:10, is located at 28 degrees north latitude and 104.2 degrees east longitude, about 90 kilometers from Zhaotong city, which administered Yanjin.

Forty-one people injured have been hospitalized, said local officials, adding the quake also toppled down 56 houses.

Rescue teams are on the way to the quake-hit area.