KUNMING - A 5.2-magnitude earthquake hit Tengchong County near the city of Baoshan in Southwest China's Yunnan Province at 6:16 pm Monday, according to the China Earthquake Network Center.

Rescuers search for signs of life after a 5.2-magnitude earthquake hit Tengchong County near the city of Baoshan in Southwest China's Yunnan Province June 20, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

The quake has injured four people as of 10 pm, according to the provincial department of civil affairs.

The provincial seismological bureau said the tremor was acutely felt in 18 townships administered by Tengchong, and damaged some houses there.

The epicenter of the tremor was recorded in Mangbang township, located more than 40 km away from the county seat of Tengchong.

The provincial civil affairs department has sent hundreds of tents, quilts and clothing to the quake zone, according to Yao Guohua, deputy head of the department.

A driver surnamed Shao said he felt his car trembling while driving on the highway. A teacher from the county's town of Mingguang said that she also felt tremors in her town.

Baoshan public security and fire control authorities have sent 10 vehicles and a team of 60 people to the quake zone to assist in rescue efforts.

Shi Lei, the team's leader, said more than 10 residents of the quake-hit village of Tianxin set up tents in an open area, for fears of the aftershock.

A house is partially damaged after a 5.2-magnitude earthquake hit Tengchong County near the city of Baoshan in Southwest China's Yunnan Province June 20, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]