Xinhua: 22 dead from Saturday quake

BEIJING, China (CNN) -- An earthquake hit southwest China Saturday, killing 22 people, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.

The United States Geological Survey measured the quake as a 5.7-magnitude.

The quake hit Panzhihua City in Sichuan province. By Saturday night, 17 people were reported dead and about 100 others injured in Sichuan, Xinhua said. In neighboring Yunnan province, five people died and 35 others were injured, the news agency said.

In addition, nearly 1,000 houses were destroyed and cracks appeared in walls of more than 400 houses, according to Xinhua.

Rescue teams were headed to Sichuan, Xinhua reported. The China Earthquake Administration sent teams and seismic experts to the quake-hit area while the Yunnan provincial civil affairs bureau and the Yunnan Red Cross Society sent 3,400 tents and 2,000 quilts, Xinhua said.

Heavy rains and the region's rugged terrain were delaying relief efforts, it said.

The China Earthquake Administration has sent teams and seismic experts to the quake-hit area while the Yunnan provincial civil affairs bureau and the Yunnan Red Cross Society sent 3,400 tents and 2,000 quilts, Xinhua said. Relief efforts were hampered by heavy rains and the region's rugged terrain, it said.

On May 12, a 7.9-magnitude quake in Sichuan and nearby provinces killed nearly 70,000 people and more than 18,000 others are still listed as missing.

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