A 3.8-magnitude earthquake was recorded in Kon Plong district of the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum in the morning of June 11, with no injuries or property damage reported, according to the Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Centre under the Institute of Earth Sciences, a subordinate agency of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.

The tremor occurred at 7:39:46 am (Hanoi time), with the epicentre located at latitude 14.924°N and longitude 108.236°E, at a depth of approximately 8.1 kilometres. The natural disaster risk level was classified as 0 – the lowest on the scale.

Experts have identified earthquakes in Kon Plong district as induced earthquakes, which have occurred frequently and continuously since 2021.

Dr Nguyen Xuan Anh, Deputy Director of the Institute of Earth Sciences, explained that Kon Tum, including Kon Plong district, lies along a minor fault zone. Earthquakes in the region generally remain below magnitude 5.0 and, despite their frequency, have not posed significant risk levels that would trigger official warnings.

The institute will continue to monitor seismic activities closely and regularly provide updates to local authorities and residents, he said.

Dr Anh also issued safety guidance for residents in the event of an earthquake. Those indoors should immediately take cover under a sturdy table or bed to avoid falling objects and ensure access to air if the ceiling collapses. People are advised to hold onto their shelter, remain there until the shaking stops, and only leave once it is safe to do so. Children and elderly individuals should be kept close, and shoes should be worn to avoid injury from broken glass or debris, he said.

If there is no shelter nearby, people should move away from glass windows, seek out a structural corner, crouch down, and use their hands to protect their heads, he instructed./.VNA