China hit by strong aftershock

A strong aftershock has killed three people and injured 1,000 others in quake-hit southwestern China.

Thousands more who have been left traumatised by last week's massive earthquake fled their homes when the tremor hit Jiangyou city in Sichuan.

The aftershock, the strongest since the May 12 earthquake, measured 5.7 in magnitude and brought down a large number of houses, damaged 377 km (235 miles) of roads and six bridges, rescue authorities said.

It came on the eve of three days of national mourning, and with the official death toll now standing at 32,500 but expected to exceed 50,000.

Some 220,000 are injured, and about 4.8 million people have lost their homes.

More than six days after the main 7.9 magnitude quake rattled Sichuan province, authorities are worried by the aftershocks and the build-up of water in blocked rivers, and have tried to stop people from entering the affected area.

Offers of help have flooded in and rescue teams with sniffer dogs and specialised equipment from Japan, Russia, Taiwan, South Korea, the United States and Singapore are assisting.

Statistics from past earthquakes show some victims have survived up to nearly a fortnight under rubble.

Yet Fujiya Koji, head of the Japanese rescue team in Sichuan, conceded: "Generally by this stage the likelihood of survival is low. They say they have been finding some in Beichuan and we'll certainly keep trying."

China's Health Ministry said on Sunday there had been no disease outbreaks so far.

Three days of national mourning will begin on Monday, with flags flying at half mast, public entertainment suspended and a three-minute silence observed to mark exactly one week since the quake.

State television said the Olympic torch relay through China would also be suspended.

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