Beijing: Four people were killed and 10 others injured on Saturday after an earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck southwest China.
The quake hit the border area of Shangri-La and Deqen counties in Yunnan Province and Derong County in Sichuan Province at 08:04 a.M. (local time), according to the China Earthquake Network Centre.
Four people died and six others were injured in Deqen County, according to a statement from the Yunnan Provincial Civil Affairs Department.
The quake has toppled 600 residential units and damaged 55,500 others, and some 9,200 local residents have been forced to relocate, the statement said.
The injured also include four residents from the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze, which administers Derong County in Sichuan Province, state-run Xinhua news agency said.
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.
The region was hit by a 5.1 magnitude quake on August 28 affecting more than 52,000 residents in Yunnan.
PTI
