Xilin Gol League, in northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has been hit by 40 aftershocks, the strongest measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale, affecting 126,000 people and 2.3 million livestock, a local source said on Sunday.

A quake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale jolted the region last Wednesday.

The local earthquake response headquarters said that the epicenter of the quake was in the juncture between Dong Ujimqin Banner and Xi Ujimqin Banner, 230 kilometers from Xilin Hot city.

Four people have been reported injured.

The quakes are estimated to have caused more than 620 million yuan (US$74 million) in direct economic losses, damaging 38,000 houses and 9,000 livestock stables. Classes have been suspended for more than 1,600 students and local power, transport and industrial infrastructures have been affected.

The regional finance department will allocate 5 million yuan (US$602,000) for relief in the affected areas, and 1,000 tents provided by the local civil affairs department are scheduled to arrive on Monday.

On Sunday, 500 tents provided by the Civil Affairs Ministry arrived in the region.

So far, 10.3 million yuan (US$1.2 million) has been spent on relief efforts, with donations reaching more than 900,000 yuan (US$108,000). 

(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2004)