A powerful aftershock near the epicentre of Monday’s deadly earthquake caused landslides on Friday, hindering rescuers desperately trying to find survivors.

The aftershock – with a magnitude of 5.5, according to the US Geological Survey – is one of the largest of the dozens that have hit the region in recent days. Xinhua news agency reported that the landslides buried relief workers’ vehicles, but no information about casualties was given.