Major aftershock hits southern China injuring 16

29/08/2006 22:58:58

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

Xinhua news agency reports, the 4.7 magnitude tremor hit the Yunnan counties of Yanjin and Daguan

An elementary school in Yanjin was among the buildings destroyed.

Of the 16 injured, three are reported to be in a critical condition.

More aftershocks in the area are 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.

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