KILLAR1 (India). Oct 9: A mild quake hit Kilarl and nearby ar eas Saturday and created panic among thousands of people rendered homeless by the ear Iler quake that killed up to 30 0X) people, reports AP

The quake registered 5.2 on the Richter scale and was the 14 th aftershock since the September 30. quake, said SN Chatterjee, seismology director at the weather office in New Delhi.

The quake rumbled across the reclon In the western state

of Maharashtra at 2 15 am (20:25 GMT) and dozens of houses damaged by the earlier quake collapsed completely. Fissures In the land widened

Meanwhile, the first consignment of American aid was distributed to 300 people in Kilarl. one of the hardest-hit village.

Maharashtra state's Finance Minister Ramarao Adik handed out bundles containing a tent, two blankets, a live-gallon plastic container, buckets and pots and pans to each survivor of the quake.

Most of the recipients were either serving soldiers whose houses had been razed by the quake or ex-servicemen.

Adik said disaster relief experts from around the world have praised the rescue operations that 10.000 yoldlers are carrying out iu the state.