ĐIỆN BIÊN — A 4.3 magnitude earthquake hit the mountainous province of Điện Biên early morning on Tuesday, the second quake in the past two days in the same area.

The Điện Biên Phủ City Seismological Observatory reported that the earthquake occurred at 6.20am, with its epicentre in Mường Ảng District, some 45km to the northeast of the provincial capital.

The depth was measured at 10km, while the aftershock lasted for three to four seconds.

Earlier on Monday, the local observatory recorded a 3.9 magnitude earthquake at 3am on the border between Mường Ảng and Điện Biên Đông districts.

The US Geological Survey, however, measured the earthquake a little stronger at 4.1.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, injuries or damage to infrastructure.

According to the Institute of Geophysics under the Việt Nam Academy of Science and Technology, the recent earthquakes may be a warning sign of stronger earthquakes hitting the area in the future.

A group of the institute’s researchers were sent to Điện Biên to survey and determine such a possibility.

Điện Biên province is a part of the mountainous northwest region which is the most seismic zone in the country.

The biggest earthquake recorded in the province over the last century measured up to 6.9. — VNS