A major aftershock measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale on Tuesday jolted Yanjin and Daguan counties in southwest China's Yunnan Province, injuring 16 people and destroying several buildings.

The quake, which lasted about five seconds, occurred at about 9 a.m. on Tuesday, local authorities said, adding that more aftershocks could hit the area in the next few days.

The tremor rattled several buildings in an elementary school in Yanjin, forcing children to flee from their classrooms.

Among the 16 injured, three are in critical condition.

Local governments are trying to prevent other possible disasters that could be triggered by the quake such as landslides and rockfalls in mountainous areas.

Two moderate earthquakes measuring more than 5 on the Richter scale hit the two counties on July 22 and August 25, killing over 20 people and injuring 100 others.

The quakes caused economic losses of 700 million yuan (US$87.5 million), affecting more than 300,000 people.

Thousands of houses, mostly built on hillsides and vulnerable to natural disasters were toppled by the quakes, which forced the relocation of 45,520 people, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2006)