ALGIERS, March 21 (Xinhua) -- An earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale hit northeast Algeria on Monday, killing at least four people and injuring 36, the national radio reported.

    The quake shook the Kherrata region in the Bejaia province, some 300 km east of the capital Algiers at 1944 GMT, the radio said.

    At least four people were killed and dozens of houses damaged in the region.

    In May 2003, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 on the Richter scale struck northern Algeria, killing almost 2,300 people and injuring more than 10,000. Enditem