An earthquake surprised China’s Sichuan Province, injuring 15, killing one, and damaging thousands of homes. Chinese state news agency Xinhua reports that more than 100 houses have collapsed in the 5.2 magnitude quake in the area between the cities of  Chongqing and Chengdu.

 

While the quake itself was not nearly as strong as many in the recent past, such as the 8.0 magnitude quake which struck in another part of the province in 2008. Reuters India reports that local authorities and residents were caught by surprise as the region is not considered an earthquake prone area. 

 

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