(Photo : Map from China Earthquake Networks Center)

A peaceful and quiet Saturday morning for residents in a mountainous area in southwest China turned tragic when a 5.9 magnitude earthquake occurred, killing at least four persons and injuring more than 10 others, authorities said.

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According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the earthquake, which measured 5.9 on the Richter scale, hit a mountainous area that borders Shangri-La and Deqen Counties in the province of Yunan and Derong County in the province of Sichuan at 8:04 am.

600 Houses Toppled

A statement from the Yunnan Provincial Affairs Department said the tremor toppled at least 600 residential houses and partially damaged 55,000 others. At least 9,200 residents have also been forced to relocate.

Authorities said the injured persons include four residents from the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garce in Sichuan Province. Injuries from other areas have not been immediately reported.

Aside from destroying lives and properties, the earthquake, which was felt in at least 12 townships in Derong, also caused landslides that have cut off traffic access to the Xingfu Village in Nixi Township of Shangri-La, the believed epicenter of the quake.

Flow of Electricity, Telecommunication Affected

It also affected the flow of electricity and telecommunication in Derong and Deqen counties. The lack of electricity and telecommunications access has complicated the rescue efforts, authorities said.

Rescue and disaster relief works have been carried out in accessible areas and authorities said they have already sent clothes, folding beds, tents, and other basic supplies to hardly-hit areas.

The latest earthquake took place just three days after a 5.1 magnitude earthquake hit the same border area, authorities said. More than 52,000 residents in Yunnan province were affected by the earthquake last Wednesday.

Earthquakes are not uncommon in China's mountainous areas. In April this year, an earthquake hit the mountainous area of Sichuan, killing 193 persons. In May 2008, nearly 90,000 people were killed or missing when a powerful earthquake struck Sichuan.