China seismology bureau: Beijing aftershock rumor unfounded

Source: Xinhua | 05-12-2008 17:24

BEIJING, May 12 (Xinhua) -- There is no evidence suggesting that an aftershock from Monday's quake here would occur later in the day, the State Seismological Bureau (SSB) said.

"Rumors in the city that an aftershock measuring between two and six on the Richter scale would take place in Beijing between 10 p.m. and midnight are simply not true," said Yang Wei, director with the bureau.

"No destructive earthquake near the capital is likely to occur in the near future," he said.

An earthquake measuring 3.9 jolted the Tongzhou District in eastern Beijing at 2:35 p.m. Monday

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

Separately, a major quake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale jolted Wenchuan County in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 2:28 p.m. Monday.

Editor:Zhang Ning