Beijing - Two people were killed and one injured when a 4.5-magnitude earthquake hit north-west China's Shaanxi province, local media reported Wednesday.

Shaanxi was also affected by the powerful massive 8.0-magnitude earthquake that was centred in neighbouring Sichuan province a month ago. In Tuesday's quake several houses collapsed in Ningqiang county, Xinhua news agency reported.

The death toll from the May 12 earthquake in south-west China has reached 69,172 with another 17,420 still missing as of Tuesday.

As heavy rain continues to fall in Sichuan province about 110,000 residents of Aba perfecture are moving to safe shelters out of fear of flooding and landslides.

From Wenchuan county, the epicentre of the May 12 quake, 50,000 residents living in highly-risky mountainous areas are being relocated as well as 60,000 inhabitants from the nearby counties of Maoxian, Lixian, Heishui and Jiuzhai, Xinhua reported. (dpa)