Two work teams have been dispatched to quake-hit areas in the Chinese provinces of Yunnan and Qinghai, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) Saturday.

The ministry initiated an emergency disaster relief response soon after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit Maduo County of Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province at 2:04 a.m. Saturday Beijing Time.

A work team was dispatched to Qinghai by the ministry and China Earthquake Administration to check the disaster situation and direct rescue work and disaster relief, said the MEM.

The epicenter, with a depth of 17 km, was located at an area about 4,230 meters above the sea level, with a sparse population, according to the ministry.

The earthquake occurred in pastoral areas, where brick and wood bungalows are mostly scattered, which may cause damage to a small number of houses, said the MEM, and the disaster situation is being further verified.

At least 3 people were killed and 27 others injured as of 6 a.m. Saturday after a series of earthquakes jolted Yangbi Yi Autonomous County in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, local authorities said.

A work team has also been sent to the area.

The quake was felt in all 12 counties and cities of the prefecture, with Yangbi being the worst hit, Yang Guozong, Party chief of the prefecture said.

Two deaths were reported in Yangbi county and one in Yongping County. Three people were severely injured and 24 others had minor injuries.

About 72,317 residents in 20,192 households were affected by the quakes.

Four earthquakes over 5.0-magnitude jolted Yangbi from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

The region has recorded 166 aftershocks as of 2 a.m.

Rescue forces have been dispatched to the quake zone, and rescue efforts are underway. 

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