USGS earthquake locator near Dali, China
USGS earthquake locator near Dali, Chinacourtesy USGS

At least 700 families lost their homes in an earthquake that rocked Yunnan province in southwest China at 1:41 p.m. local time on Sunday.

Another 2,500 homes were damaged in the quake, which struck 51 kilometers (32 miles) from Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, close to the Maynmar border.

The epicenter of the quake was detected at a depth of nine kilometers, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. The quake registered as deep as 33 kilometers below the surface of the planet, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

More than 20 people were hurt in the temblor, which registered at 5.5 on the Richter scale. Three of the injured sustained serious wounds.

Last September, twin earthquakes in the same province triggered landslides that killed at least 80 people. The region is prone to earthquakes.

The area in which the quake occurred in considered fairly remote. 

Although Jews travel to China on business, they are generally not found in such remote areas, and none were reported injured or missing in the quake.