Story By: John Feng, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report

Video Credit: AsiaWire

This is the moment countless seemingly alarmed fish begin leaping out the surface of a pond a full 20 minutes before an earthquake struck a Chinese county killing at least one person.

The eerie moment was captured on CCTV and shows the fish springing out of the pond before the 5.4-magnitude temblor struck on the county of Weiyuan, which is in Neijiang City in south-western China’s Sichuan Province, at 6:42am local time on 9th September.

Pictures Credit: AsiaWire

The footage shows the fish jumping from one side to the other after apparently sensing seismic activity deep in the earth’s crust.

However, it was not until 20 minutes later that footage emerged of swinging light fixtures in affected residents’ homes.

Video Credit: AsiaWire

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the quake struck at a relatively shallow depth of 10 kilometres (6.21 miles).

At least one person has been reported dead, while no fewer than 63 are injured, according to the latest figures by the Neijiang Emergency Management Office.

Images taken in the aftermath show parts of crumbled buildings and debris scattered on the ground.

Officials said 232 structures were damaged, including 17 which collapsed altogether.

Rescue work is ongoing as 2,417 residents have had to be relocated.

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