5.1 magnitude quake hits southwest China

An earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale jolted southwest China early today but initial reports spoke of minor damage but no casualty.

An earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale jolted southwest China early on Sunday but initial reports spoke of minor damage but no casualty.

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The quake hit Pingwu county of Mianyang city of Sichuan province at 6.59 am with its epicentre about 170 km from the provincial capital Chengdu. The aftershock occurred at a depth of 22 km.

County official Wang Jihui said first reports spoke of minor damage to some houses in the rural areas, no death or injuries to people.

Parts of Sichuan province was struck by an 8.0 magnitude earthquake May 12 with some 70,000 people killed or missing. The quake devastated an area of 42,000 sq km and affected some 40 million people. Post-quake rebuilding is still going on.