Beijing ( CNN ) -- The death toll from Thursday 's earthquake in southwest China is at least 25 , with more than 250 injured , according to the ministry of civil affairs . The 5.4-magnitude earthquake hit near the border with Myanmar , the U.S. Geological Survey said . It collapsed houses in the remote Yingjiang county in Yunnan province , according to a county official who would provide only his surname , Ke -- a common practice among officials . State media said the quake hit the area shortly before 1 p.m. local time , cutting power and toppling buildings including hotels and schools . The epicenter was 2 kilometers ( 1.2 miles ) away from the center of Yingjiang county , which has a population of more than 270,000 and is home to several of China 's ethnic minorities . China Central Television showed damaged buildings with debris and red lanterns lying around as police officers directed traffic on a chaotic street . Aftershocks continued to jolt the area as firefighters and other rescuers helped free those trapped , Li Zhiren , the deputy county chief told CCTV . U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed condolences on behalf of the Obama administration . `` As people in Yunnan province mourn the loss of life and work to save those that are injured and trapped in the rubble , our thoughts are with the injured , the families of the victims , and with all the people of China , '' she said . The area has experienced minor quakes under 5.0 magnitude since the year began , according to the Xinhua news agency . As of Thursday , the local seismological bureau had recorded more than 1,200 such tremors , Xinhua said . Many jittery residents celebrated the lunar New Year holiday in tents last month .
NEW : Death and injury toll increase . The 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck near the Myanmar border . Hundreds of people are trapped , the civil affairs ministry says . Police tried to reach trapped residents .