Few days before the Olympics, a magnitude of 6.1 earthquake jolted southwest China's Sichuan province at 4:32 p.m today. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the 6.0-magnitude quake, whose epicentre was 1,253 km (778 miles) southwest of Beijing. This is the second time an earthquake is hiting Sichuan and Gansu in a matter of months.The quake occurred a few hours after the Olympic torch relay was held in the Sichuan provincial capital of Chengdu, its last stop before the flame officially opens the Beijing Games on Friday. At least 231 casualties were reported courtesy Reuters.


Olympic torch finishes China earthquake zone tour