Strong Earthquake Hits Western China

BEIJING (AP) — A strong aftershock struck a western Chinese region where a May earthquake killed almost 70,000 people, shaking buildings a few hours after the Olympic torch relay passed through the area Tuesday. No injuries or damage were reported.

The quake struck Gansu and Shaanxi provinces in Sichuan, shaking buildings in the cities of Hanzhong, Xi'an and Chongqing, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. Panicked residents fled swaying buildings and ran into the streets.

The U.S. Geological Survey measured the quake at magnitude-6.0. It struck shortly before 6:00 p.m. local time and the USGS said the epicenter was 30 miles northwest of Guangyuan town at a depth of 6 miles.

The temblor was the latest of scores of aftershocks from the magnitude-7.9 quake that struck Sichuan on May 12, killing almost 70,000 people and leaving 5 million homeless.

The earthquake hit a few hours after the Olympic torch relay was held in the Sichuan provincial capital of Chengdu, its last stop before the flame officially opens the Beijing Games on Friday.

On Friday, another powerful aftershock hit Pingwu and Beichuan in Sichuan, injuring 231 people.

• Video: Earthquake Forecasts

• The Big Quake Quiz
  

• China's Quake a 'Worst-Case Scenario' for California