Strong aftershock destroys 71,000 homes, kills six in China

Chengdu (China), May 26 : A powerful aftershock destroyed tens of thousands of homes in China on Sunday, killing at least six people. Nearly a thousand were injured.

In Qingchuan, the epicenter of the aftershock, one was killed and over 700 people were injured. Nine villages and towns suffered a telecommunication cutoff.

In Guangyuan, about 71,000 homes that had survived the original quake, were leveled, and another 200,000 were in danger of collapse from the aftershock that caused office towers to sway in Beijing, 800 miles away.

Four people were confirmed dead and 20 others were seriously injured in Hanzhong city of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Longnan City in northwest Gansu Province reported one death and 109 injuries.

It was one of the strongest of about 8,000 aftershocks detected since the 7.9 quake hit south west China on May 12.

Premier Wen Jiabao has said the final death toll could be over 80,000.

Over five million buildings collapsed in the earthquake and more than five million people are homeless, officials say.

Rains are expected today, which forecasters said would be torrential in some areas and could cause mudslides.

China's Water Ministry said 69 dams were at one time in danger of bursting, although steps have been taken to reduce the risk.

ANI