33 pulled out alive days after China earthquake

BEIJING (Agencies) - A strong aftershock near the epicentre of China's devastating earthquake triggered landslides that cut off roads and buried vehicles on Friday, state media reported.

The aftershock, measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale, shook Lixian county, less than 50km from the epicentre of Monday's quake, Xinhua news agency reported.

"A number of vehicles were buried in landslides triggered by the aftershock," Xinhua said, citing its reporters on the scene.

According to BBC, almost five million people have been left homeless by the devastating earthquake in southwestern Sichuan province, officials said.

They said the extent of the problem only became clear when communications were restored.

So far, 22,069 deaths have been confirmed and thousands remain missing. It is feared up to 50,000 may be dead.

Rescuers in Beichuan pulled 33 people alive from the rubble on Friday, four days after a major earthquake struck China as emergency workers hoped for "more miracles," state media said.

A total of 33 people were rescued in Beichuan county Friday, the Xinhua news agency said, with many of them rushed to hospital for medical treatment.