A 3.6-magnitude earthquake hit Tuan Giao district in the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien in the night of September 21.

Although the small quake did not cause any damage, its aftermath was felt in Tuan Giao and adjacent localities such as Tua Chua and Muong Ang districts.

Nguyen Thai Son, Head of the Dien Bien Earthquake Observation Station, said the quake lasted for two seconds with the epicentre recorded at 21.621 north latitude and 103.509 east longitude – about 10 kilometres from the centre of Tuan Giao town.

The location of the earthquake (Source: 24h.com.vn)

Local residents said they felt their furniture shaking and many fled their homes in case of accidents or cave-ins.

Sitting on the Lai Chau-Son La Fault, Tuan Giao district has been hit by several small quakes with the strongest measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale on July 24, 1983, which also had no serious losses.

Bordering Tuan Giao, Son La province was also struck by a 3.1-magnitude temblor on September 16.

(Source: VNA)