An aftershock measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale jolted northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Wednesday, reported China Seismological Bureau.

The aftershock occurred at 12:47 p.m. (Beijing Time) in Bachu and Jiashi Counties which were rocked by a devastating quake on February 24.

The epicenter was located at 39.5 degrees north and 77.4 degrees east, 100 kilometers from Bachu County and 60 kilometers from Jiashi County, according to the bureau.

The devastating earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.8 on the Richter scale, hit the region on Feb. 24, claiming the lives of 268 people and injuring more than 4,000 others, and was followed by more than 3,000 aftershocks.

(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2003)