Aftershock hits southwest China, 16 injured

Beijing, Aug 29: A major aftershock jolted China's southwestern province of Yunnan today, injuring 16 and destroying thousands of buildings in counties digging out after an earthquake last week.

The 4.7 magnitude tremor hit the Yunnan counties of Yanjin and Daguan, the official Xinhua news agency reported. An elementary school in Yanjin was among the buildings destroyed.

Among the 16 injured, three were in critical condition, the report said.

More aftershocks in the area were likely following last Friday's 5.1 magnitude quake that killed two.

Yanjin county, located on an earthquake belt where at least nine major tremors have been recorded, was already reeling from a jolt in July that killed 22, injured more than 100 and toppled some 1,400 houses.

REUTERS