The 5.6 Richter-scale quake rocked Ludian County in Yunnan province late Tuesday, causing massive damage to buildings.

Some 126,234 people were living in tents or in the open after 18,556 houses collapsed, according to the latest statistics reported by the Xinhua news agency.

In addition, 65,601 houses were damaged as were schools, factories, office buildings and reservoirs.

In total 594 people were injured, 127 seriously, Zhaotong city mayor Deng Xianpei was quoted as saying.

Four people, including a four-year-old girl, were killed.

Rescue teams continued sifting the wreckage Thursday in the worst hit areas -- Taoyuan and Buga townships some 255 kilometres (410 miles) north of the provincial capital Kunming.

According to Xinhua, the county has received 3,000 tents, 4,500 quilts and 4,500 items of clothing sent by the Yunnan provincial government.

The Red Cross Society of China, meanwhile, is donating another 300,000 yuan (36,232 dollars) worth of tents, clothes and quilts to the victims.

Ludian, with a population of 378,000, is one of China's poorest counties, with an average yearly income of just 1,000 yuan (120 dollars).

The earthquake was the third in a year to strike Ludian. Quakes measuring 5.1 and 5.0 on the Richter scale on November 15 and 26 last year killed four and injured 120.

TERRA.WIRE