VietNamNet Bridge - Less than a week after an earthquake response exercise, a major earthquake occurred this morning, September 3, in Bac Tra My district and some neighboring areas, making people panic.

Helicopters and 2,000 participate in earthquake response exercise (photo)

A scene in the earthquake response exercise on August 28.

Mr. Tran Anh Tuan, Chairman of Bac Tra My district, said that the quake occurred at about 7am today, causing strong vibration. "Soon after the Geophysics Institute reported that the quake was 3.3 on the Richter scale," Tuan said.

"Just several days after the earthquake response exercise a real quake occurred, making many people worried of the catastrophic risks caused by strong earthquakes,” said a local woman.

According to local people, there were two-hour downpours in the districts of Nam Tra My and Bac Tra My.

Experts from the Geophysics Institute said that it is most likely that unusual heavy rainfall flew to the Song Tranh 2 reservoir had effects on the geological fault zone, stimulating earthquakes in this region.

On August 28, an earthquake response exercise took place in Bac Tra My district, held by the Military Zone 5 High Command and the Quang Nam Provincial People’s Committee. This was the largest exercise so far with the participation of nearly 2,000 people and modern equipment.

The exercise was held in Bac Tra My because earthquakes often occurred in this area, which is very near the Song Tranh 2 hydropower project.

Le Ha