Thousands affected by SW China earthquake

The red spot shows the epicenter of a 4.4 magnitude earthquake that jolted Southwest China's Yunnan province on Saturday morning, affecting more than 10,000 people. Photo from China Earthquake Administration's website.

KUNMING -- Over 10,000 people were affected by a 4.4 magnitude earthquake in Southwest China's Yunnan province on Saturday morning, local authorities said.

The quake, at a depth of six kilometers, hit Mojiang Hani autonomous county at 6:37 am. No casualties have been reported. A total of 276 houses were damaged.

Disaster-relief is underway and losses are being assessed.

As it forms part of the circum-Pacific seismic belt known as the Pacific Ring of Fire and the Eurasia seismic belt, Yunnan is prone to earthquakes. In August, a 6.5-magnitude quake there killed more than 600 people.