Over 80 relocated after 5.1-magnitude quake hits China's Yunnan

Members of a local fire and rescue team prepare to set off for earthquake rescue work in southwest China's Yunnan province, Jan. 19, 2026. [Photo/Xinhua]

A 5.1-magnitude earthquake jolted Qiaojia County in southwest China's Yunnan province on Monday evening, prompting local authorities to evacuate dozens of residents, though no casualties or building collapses were reported.

The earthquake struck at 7:32 p.m., with a depth of 10 kilometers. As of 2 a.m. Tuesday, 86 people from 31 households had been relocated to temporary shelters, local officials said.

Cao Shanyou, deputy head of Qiaojia County, said authorities activated an emergency response immediately after the quake and dispatched rescue teams to the affected areas, along with local officials to conduct inspections across 192 villages and communities.

Power supply, telecommunications, reservoirs and water services were operating normally, Cao said, adding that damage assessments were ongoing.

The China Earthquake Administration has activated a Level-III emergency response to the earthquake in Yunnan and dispatched working teams to the affected area to support local relief efforts.

China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe response.