The quake struck the Guangling district of Guizhou province at 5:35 pm (0300 IST) on Sunday, said a report on the website of the Guizhou Earthquake Information Bureau.
"Seven people died in two landslides caused by the quake and another one is still missing. We are trying to get more information," an official in Guizhou's Civil Affairs Department, who gave only his surname, Zhao, told reporters.
Xinhua news agency said the quake had measured 4.0 on the Richter scale. The US Geological Survey, which tracks seismic activity worldwide, made no mention of the reported earthquake on its website. A separate report by Xinhua news agency said three had died in the quake. No other details were immediately available.
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