Kunming (China), July 10 (Xinhua) More than 300 people were injured Thursday when a strong earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale jolted the Yunnan province in southwest China, officials said.

The injured were rushed to hospitals.

The local authorities said over 10,000 houses collapsed and about 30,000 houses were damaged in the six counties hit by the earthquake.

The quake occurred at 7.19 p.m., with the epicenter in the Guantun Township, some 200 km from the provincial city of Kunming, the China Earthquake Networks Centre said.

Eight aftershocks, measuring three to 4.1 on the Richter scale, were recorded after the quake.

The latest aftershock occurred at 11.09 p.m. in the Yao'an County.

The officials have rushed food, medicines, and other essential goods to the quake hit region to help the affected people.

Residents in Yao'an County remained outdoors late Thursday for fear of more aftershocks.

Senior officials and more than 600 police personnel have been dispatched to the affected area to undertake rescue work.