A series of earthquakes have hit south-west China, leaving at least 43 (according to new data) people dead and damaging more than 20,000 houses, BBC News reported citing Chinese state-run media.

The quakes struck the border of Yunnan and Guizhou provinces, with the largest felt at 11:19 Beijing time (03:19 GMT), Xinhua news agency said.

The U.S. Geological Survey registered the two strongest of the series of quakes at 5.6 magnitude. Yunnan's Yiliang county seemed to have been the worst hit.

Local officials said that teams have been sent to distribute tents and blankets to those affected.