Strong aftershock kills four in NW China

HANZHONG, Shaanxi, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Four people were confirmed dead and 20 others were seriously injured in Hanzhong city of northwest China's Shaanxi Province when a strong aftershock measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale jolted Qingchuan County of southwestern Sichuan Province on Sunday afternoon, said an official with Hanzhong city Monday.

Hu Runze, mayor of Hangzhong, said all the four dead were in a paddy field of Xixiang County when the aftershock occurred.

Investigation has started for the detailed losses caused by the aftershock, Hu said.

CHENGDU, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Two person died and more than 480 were injured, 41 seriously, when a strong aftershock measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale jolted Qingchuan County in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Sunday afternoon.

The strongest aftershock since the 8.0-magnitude Wenchuan County quake on May 12 also destroyed or severely damaged about 270,000 houses, and like the original quake, was felt across China. Full story

CHENGDU, May 25 (Xinhua) -- A total of 62,161 people have been confirmed dead in the May 12 earthquake and another 347,401 people injured in southwest China's Sichuan Province alone as of 4:30 p.m. Sunday, a local official said.

The province has recorded about 8,000 aftershocks after the 8.0-magnitude earthquake on May 12, with the strongest measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale reported on Sunday afternoon. Full story

BEIJING, May 24 (Xinhua) -- As of Saturday noon, 178 aftershocks measuring above 4 on the Richter scale had been monitored in southwest China's Sichuan Province, according to the Information Office of State Council.

Among them, 27 aftershocks measured above magnitude 5, and four above magnitude 6, said the office.