Slow response to earthquake near Quang Nam power plant

An earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale struck Tranh River 2 hydropower plant in Quang Nam Province on afternoon November 15.

Global Physics Institute slow to respond

This is the largest recorded seismic event to take place in the area so far, said Le Dinh Trung, secretary of Tra Son Communal Party in Bac Tra My District.

“The earthquake occurred when we were holding a local meeting. Cups fell from the table and water spilled all over," he said.

This followed another, smaller quake on October 22, measuring 4.6.

People in Tien Phuoc District, 50 kilometres from the Tranh River 2 hydropower plant, also felt the effects the quake.

Doan Dung, head of the district People’s Committee’s Office said they could feel the ground shaking.

Doan Minh Y, owner of Stones Café in Bac Tra My, said that many of his clients heard a sound similar to an explosion before the quake. Many customers ran away in panic.

Ho Van Loi, Chairman of Tra Doc Communal People’s Committee in Bac Tra My District was worried, saying that this was the longest and strongest earthquake in the area so far.

Residents in districts as far away as Hiep Duc and Nong Son and even Danang felt the effects as well.

Tran Duc Toan, deputy head of a unit responsible for managing the Song Tranh 2 hydropower project said that data about the even was still being collected and processed.

According to Tran Anh Tuan, Vice Chairman of Bac Tra My District People’s Committee, the quake struck the area at 2:24pm, and lasted for about 10 seconds.

Around one hour after the quake, the Global Physics Institute had not yet updated data on this incident. Dantri reporters tried to contact Phan Thanh Hai, who was on duty at the institute on that day, but could not get through.

People in high-buildings in Danang felt the shake