An aftershock brought new havoc to the earthquake-stricken region of China, triggering landslides and buring vehicles.

The Xinhua news agency says the first repaired road into Wenchuan, the epicentre of Monday's tremor, has been cut off again.

State television reports the aftershock also cut off mobile telecommunication services that had just been restored, adding to the difficulties of carrying out relief work.

One of those taking part in the emergency effort in the town of Chengdou, a Red Cross nurse Nicole, says the rescue work is very difficult.

"It's going slowly just because its so difficult to get to people..most people are buried really deeply and so you can hear them calling but to dig through the rubble without causing everything to fall down is really hard."

Produced by Radio Australia and Australia Network