Four dead after 5.9-magnitude quake jolts SW China

Email|Print|Comments       twitter     facebook     Sina Microblog     reddit    

Photo taken on Aug. 31, 2013 shows the scene after an earthquake at Xingfu Village in Deqen County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale jolted southwest China at 8:04 a.m. Saturday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center. The epicenter was monitored at 28.2 degrees north latitude and 99.4 degrees east longitude, in the area bordering the counties of Shangri-La, Deqen of Yunnan Province and Derong County of Sichuan Province, with a depth of about 10 kilometers, the center said. (Xinhua/Chen Yi)

Four people died and 10 others were injured after a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck southwest China on Saturday morning, local authorities said.

The quake hit the border area of Shangri-La and Deqen counties in Yunnan Province and Derong County in Sichuan Province at 8:04 a.m., according to the China Earthquake Network Center.

Four people died and six others were injured in Deqen County, and the quake has toppled 600 residential units and damaged 55,500 others, and some 9,200 local residents have been forced to relocate, according to a statement from the Yunnan Provincial Civil Affairs Department.

The injured also include four residents from the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze, which administers Derong County, in Sichuan Province.

Quake and aftershock-triggered landslides have cut off traffic toward the Xingfu Village in Nixi Township of Shangri-La, which is believed to be the epicenter.

The quake also affected telecommunications and electricity supply in Deqen and Derong counties, complicating rescue efforts.

The quake was felt in 12 townships in Derong.

Local authorities have rushed to carry out rescue and disaster relief work. They have sent tents, clothes, quilts, folding beds and mattresses to the disaster-hit area.

Early on Wednesday, a 5.1 magnitude quake hit the same border area, affecting more than 52,000 residents in Yunnan.

• In pictures: 5.9-magnitude quake jolts SW China
• 5.9-magnitude quake jolts SW China
• SW China quake affects more than 52,000
• 5.1-magnitude quake hits SW China

We Recommend

• Gallery: Reveal the South Korean beauty production line
• Army aviation brigade in actual-troop drill
  
• Top 10 Chinese provinces for the well-heeled
• Baby born to save his sister - the story of a savior sibling
• Lady of mystery: Female SWAT team in prison disclosed
• Single mother, baby live in KFC restaurant for months
• Fan Bingbing poses for Malaysian magazine Citta Bella
• Zhang Xinyi covers COSMOPOLITAN
• A collection of bizarre rooftop buildings around China