Beijing: At least 40 aftershocks have injured four people and hampered relief operations in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region's Xilin Gol prefecture, which was hit on Wednesday (Mar 24, 2004) by an earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale.

Forty aftershocks, with the strongest measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale, has hit Xilin Gol area since the quake jolted the area on Wednesday, affecting 1,26,000 people and 2.3 million livestock, a local source said yesterday (Mar 28, 2004).

The local anti-quake relief headquarters said that the epicentre of the quake, located at 45.4 degrees North latitude and 118.2 degrees East longitude, is in the juncture area between Dong Ujimqin Banner and Xi Ujimqin Banner, and is 230 kilometres from the Xilin Hot city.

It is estimated that the quakes have caused more than $ 74 million (620 million Yuan) in direct economic losses, damaging 38,000 houses, 9,000 livestock stables, suspending courses for more than 1,600 students, and affecting local power, transport, and industrial infrastructure.

Earlier, 500 tents offered by the Civil Affairs Ministry arrived in the region, which was also hit by a strong sand storm this week.