Four dead after 5.9-magnitude quake jolts SW China

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, Xinhua reports.

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, the report added.