Bangkok (Mizzima) – At least 35 people were killed and 135 were injured in unofficial estimates following a 5.4 magnitude earthquake which hit Yingjiang in China’s Yunnan Province on Thursday afteroon, according to rescue teams.

Five Burmese sustained minor injuries, according to a source close to migrant workers, who said there were about 1,000 Burmese migrants in Yingjiang.

The earthquake hit at about 1 p.m., and its epicenter was located about 225 km southwest of Dali in Yingjiang County in Yunnan Province.

A text message sent by a Yunnan Province rescue team to subscribers via a mobile network placed the unofficial death toll at 35  and at least 135 people injured.

Many buildings were destroyed by the earthquake, power was cut and water was scarce in the area, a resident told Mizzima.

Rescue teams, the Chinese army, police and government employees turned out to try to rescue victims.