The quake shook the impoverished county of Mojiang in Yunnan province on Thursday, affecting up to 100,000 people across nine villages and townships, Xinhua news agency said.

"Most civilian houses, schools and health institutions were damaged. Water works and transport facilities were also damaged to various extents," Xinhua reported.

Rescue works have been difficult because residents were scattered across the remote, mountainous area, which is one of the many impoverished regions designated to receive poverty relief aid from the state, the report said.

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