Sichuan earthquake again, thousands of houses damaged

A small earthquake on the morning of June 30 damaged thousands of homes in Sichuan Province (China). Last year, this place suffered a magnitude 8 earthquake that killed more than 80,000 people.

According to information posted on the Chinese State Radio website, the earthquake struck Mianzhu, located north of Chengdu capital, damaging nearly 9,000 houses and roads in the area. There is no information about casualties yet.

Construction workers are building new houses in Sichuan earthquake area in May 2009 (Documentary photo: AFP)

The US Geological Survey Center (USGS) said the magnitude of the earthquake was about 5.1 magnitude, 32 km deep. However, Xinhua news agency cited national seismic sources as saying the magnitude 5.6 earthquake, 20 km deep and felt in five areas: Chengdu, Deyang, Mianyang, Guangyuan and Aba.

Earlier on June 29, a bridge in Tieli City, Heilongjiang Province (China) suddenly collapsed into the Hulan River, causing at least 1 person to die and 8 vehicles traveling down the river. The cause of the incident is being investigated.

Rescue workers at the scene of Xida bridge collapsed (Photo: Xinhua)