Two aftershocks hit Sichuan-Gansu border region

Two aftershocks struck the Sichuan-Gansu border region on 1 August 2008. The initial quake, with a magnitude of 3.9, hit Wenchuan County, the epicenter of the 12 May 7.9 magnitude earthquake, which killed 70,000 and left 20,000 missing. The second, earthquake -- which was initially measured at 6.1 but was later downgraded to 5.8 -- hit at 1632 local time (0832 UTC) and was centered on the Pingwu and Beichuan county borders in Mianyang, which is approximately 43 mi/69km north of Sichuan. The second quake was said to have been felt in Chengdu, the provincial capital. Severe landslides and falling rocks have been reported on roads leading to Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou, both popular tourist spots. Residents along the routes have been evacuated and excavation and clean-up has begun. There were no initial reports of casualties. The Olympic torch is scheduled to travel through Sichuan province beginning on 3 August on its way to the opening ceremony in Beijing on 8 August.