The earthquake occurred at 11:35:10 am with a focal depth of about 8.1 km, with a disaster risk level of 2 in the epicenter area and its vicinity.

KON PLÔNG – A 5.0-magnitude earthquake occurred in Kon Plông district, the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum on Sunday, the strongest one ever recorded in this area, according to the Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning under the Institute of Geophysics.

The earthquake occurred at 11:35:10 am with a focal depth of about 8.1 km, with a disaster risk level of 2 in the epicenter area and its vicinity.

Earlier the same day, the district also recorded three consecutive earthquakes with magnitudes of 4.1, 3.6, and 3.3, which caused shakes. All the earthquakes caused no disaster risk.

Nguyễn Xuân Anh, director of the Institute of Geophysics, stated that according to observations, the cause of the phenomenon is related to reservoir-induced seismicity.

Immediately after the occurrence of the four consecutive earthquakes, the People's Committee of Kon Plông District issued a document requiring members of the steering committee for disaster prevention, search and rescue and civil defence of the district, agencies and units of the district People's Committee; and People's Committees of communes and Măng Đen Town to urgently take actions in response to the quakes.

They are required to put plans and measures in place so as to promptly handle and overcome any damage caused by the earthquakes, assess the damage to infrastructure and property and promptly report to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as propose financial support for recovery to submit to the district People's Committee for consideration.

Statistics show that 65 earthquakes have been recorded across the country since the beginning of this year, with 54 in Kon Tum province alone, which had magnitudes ranging from 2.5 to 4.0. – VNS