BEIJING: A severe earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale hit the city of Ya'an in China's Sichuan province, killing four people and injuring 14, Authorities have confirmed.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC), the earthquake struck Lushan county at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. The epicentre was monitored at 30.4 degrees north latitude and 102.9 degrees east longitude, with a depth of 17 kilometres. At 5.03 p.m., the temblor was followed by a 4.5-magnitude aftershock in Baoxing county.

The deaths were reported in Baoxing County, according to the city's earthquake relief headquarters, and the four persons who died were struck by falling boulders, while the injured were sent to the hospital for treatment.

The tremor destroyed telecommunication in areas of both counties, although following emergency repairs, some optical links were restored. For the earthquake, Ya'an has activated the second-highest level of emergency response and is undertaking damage assessments.

Over 4,500 people from emergency services, armed police, the fire department, the medical sector, and other departments were rushed to earthquake-stricken areas to search for and rescue the injured, restore roads, and move displaced citizens.

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