Beijing: A strong aftershock near the epicentre of China's devastating earthquake triggered landslides that cutoff roads and buried vehicles, state media reported.

The aftershock, measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale, shook Lixian county, less than 50 kilometres from the epicentre of Monday's quake, Xinhua news agency reported.

It further said early today that the first repaired road from Lixian to Wenchuan, the epicentre of Monday's tremor, had been cut of again as a result of the aftershock.

"A number of vehicles were buried in landslides triggered by the aftershock," Xinhua said, citing its reporters on the scene.

State television reported separately that the aftershock also had cut off mobile telecommunication services that had just been restored in the area after being severed by Monday s earthquake, it said.

The aftershock "added significantly to the difficulties" of carrying out relief work in Lixian county, the television station said. China has mobilised tens of thousands of troops to handle the aftermath of the 7.9-magnitude quake, the country's worst in three decades.

Authorities estimate the earthquake had killed more than 50,000 people.

As of late Thursday, the affected region had experienced 122 aftershocks above four on the Richter scale, according to Chinese seismologists.

Source : PTI