A fresh aftershock measuring 6.1 on the Ritcher Scale hit southwest China's Sichuan Province at 4:32 p.m. Friday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

It caused severe landslides from Pingwu County to Nanba Township, the eastern route to the Jiuzhaigou-Huanglong scenic spots in the northern part of Sichuan, with the heaviest fallen rock exceeding dozens of tons.

Excavating machines were clearing up the sites, residents along the Jiuzhaigou-Huanglong route have been evacuated.

No casualties were reported yet.

The epicenter was located at an area between Pingwu County and Beichuan County, Mianyang City.

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2008)