An earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale hit Muong Te district in the north-western province of Lai Chau in the early hours of June 16 afternoon, damaging some public works and injuring several school children.

Local people were rushing out of their homes when the earthquake occured 

The earthquake was said to jolt the area at 13.12 (Hanoi time) with focal depth of approximately 12.6 km, according to the Vietnam National Institute of Geophysics.

Leaders of Muong Te district confirmed the quake last for about 10 seconds, causing some objects to shake and damaging public works in the locality.

At Ban Giong preschool, some children were injured after being hit by fallen ceiling plasters during lunch break.

Immediately after the incident, teachers took the four injured children to the communal health station for examination. Fortunately, none of them were seriously injured or in a life-threatening situation.

Nguyen Khanh Yen, Secretary of the Muong Te District Party Committee, said there have been nearly 20 tremors occurring in the locality during the past 24 hours, with the strongest one recorded at noon June 16. However, local authorities have yet to receive any information or warnings from authorized agencies.

Currently, the local government is collaborating with the residents to examine the damage and deal with the consequences caused by the earthquake.