A strong, 6.4 magnitude shallow earthquake hit southwestern China near the border with Myanmar, killing at least three people and injuring around 28 people on Friday night. A few hours later, a separate 7.3-magnitude quake collapsed a bridge and caused other damage in central China, news agency AP reported.
The second quake hit the southern part of Qinghai province, about 1,000 kilometers north of the first quake in Yunnan province.
The first quake of magnitude 6.4 struck 8 kilometers (5 miles) below the surface northwest of the city of Dali, the Tunnan province seismological bureau said.
While the 7.3 magnitude quake struck 10 kilometers (6 miles) below the surface in the southern part of Qinghai province.
According to Associated Press (AP), U.S. Geological Survey geophysicist Jonathan Tytell said the two quakes were not related.
According to the official People’s Daily newspaper, the Qinghai earthquake was followed by 453 aftershocks till Saturday midday.
Three people died and 28 were injured, the Yunan province’s publicity department said on Saturday.
While no deaths have been reported so far in Qinghai province, the quakes tore up roads and bridges.
Reportedly, relief efforts are currently underway, with the provincial authorities sending emergency rations and tents to the affected areas.
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