New tremor hits southwest China earthquake zone

New Delhi, Aug 15 : A new tremor of 4.9 degrees on the Richter scale on Friday hit Wenchuan, epicentre of the devastating May 12 earthquake in southwest China.

The earthquake bureau in Sichuan Province monitored the aftershock at 1:06 a.m., with the epicentre at 31 degrees north and 103.2 degrees east.

The tremor was also felt in Chengdu, the provincial capital, according to the bureau, Xinhua reported.

The earthquake relief headquarters of Wenchuan County said no reports of casualties had been received as of 10 a.m.

The death toll from the magnitude-8 May 12 earthquake in Sichuan and neighboring regions stands at 69,225, according to the State Council Information Office.

The number of people listed as missing is 17,924, while the number of the injured is 374,640.

From Monday to Wednesday, three aftershocks from 4 to4.9 degrees and 570 aftershocks at or below magnitude-3.9 were monitored in the quake zone, according to the China Earthquake Administration.

A total of 23,880 aftershocks had been detected since May 12.

ANI