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China in 'all-out' quake effort 'Hundreds buried' by China quake
(10 minutes later)
Chinese President Hu Jintao has called for "all-out" efforts to rescue victims of an earthquake measuring 7.8 that has hit south-western China. Almost 900 students have been buried by collapsed buildings during an earthquake in south-western China, state media reports.
President Hu Jintao has called for "all-out" efforts to rescue victims of the quake which had a magnitude of 7.8.
The quake struck 92km (57 miles) north-west of Sichuan's provincial capital, Chengdu, at 1428 (0628 GMT).The quake struck 92km (57 miles) north-west of Sichuan's provincial capital, Chengdu, at 1428 (0628 GMT).
China's state-run Xinhua news agency said Premier Wen Jiabao was travelling to the area and troops were being sent to help with disaster relief efforts. Premier Wen Jiabao is travelling to the area and troops are being sent to help with disaster relief efforts.
Five people are reported to have died, including four schoolchildren. Full details of the incident which buried 900 students are not available.
The children were killed, and more than 100 others injured, when primary school buildings collapsed in the Chongqing area, a large municipality near Sichuan province, Xinhua added. Earlier, four schoolchildren were reported to have died, and more than 100 others were injured, when primary school buildings collapsed in the Chongqing area, a large municipality near Sichuan province, Xinhua news agency added.
Another person is reported to have died when a water tower collapsed in the city of Mianyang, in Santai county.Another person is reported to have died when a water tower collapsed in the city of Mianyang, in Santai county.
There are fears of further casualties as at least 10 people are reported to have been injured in Dujiangyan city, near the epicentre in the mainly rural Wenchuan county, when rows of houses collapsed. There are fears of further casualties.
At least 10 people are reported to have been injured in Dujiangyan city, near the epicentre in the mainly rural Wenchuan county, when rows of houses collapsed.
A spokesman for the provincial seismological bureau told Xinhua more people were feared injured or dead.A spokesman for the provincial seismological bureau told Xinhua more people were feared injured or dead.
Forty-four aftershocks have been reported since the quake, which was the strongest to hit Sichuan province in more than 30 years, Xinhua reports.Forty-four aftershocks have been reported since the quake, which was the strongest to hit Sichuan province in more than 30 years, Xinhua reports.
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Residents stream onto the streetsResidents stream onto the streets
Troops and helicopters have been sent to help with relief work in the quake-stricken areas. Troops and helicopters have been sent to help with relief work.
The BBC's Quentin Somerville says the People's Liberation Army has a good record of mobilising and getting people to safety. The BBC's Quentin Somerville says the Chinese army has a good record of mobilising and getting people to safety.
State television said the quake had not caused major damage to Chengdu, which has a population of more than 10 million people, or to the nearby Three Gorges Dam.State television said the quake had not caused major damage to Chengdu, which has a population of more than 10 million people, or to the nearby Three Gorges Dam.
RECENT CHINA QUAKES 12 May, 2008: 7.8 quake in Sichuan province. Five deadMarch, 2008: 7.2 quake in Xinjiang - damage limitedFebruary 2003: 6.8 quake in Xinjiang - at least 94 dead, 200 hurtJanuary 1998: 6.2 quake in rural Hebei - at least 47 dead, 2,000 hurt April 1997: 6.6 quake hits Xinjiang - 9 dead, 60 hurtJanuary 1997: 6.4 quake in Xinjiang - 50 dead, 40 hurtRECENT CHINA QUAKES 12 May, 2008: 7.8 quake in Sichuan province. Five deadMarch, 2008: 7.2 quake in Xinjiang - damage limitedFebruary 2003: 6.8 quake in Xinjiang - at least 94 dead, 200 hurtJanuary 1998: 6.2 quake in rural Hebei - at least 47 dead, 2,000 hurt April 1997: 6.6 quake hits Xinjiang - 9 dead, 60 hurtJanuary 1997: 6.4 quake in Xinjiang - 50 dead, 40 hurt
But workers were evacuated from swaying buildings in several cities.But workers were evacuated from swaying buildings in several cities.
Tremors were felt as far afield as Beijing, the Thai capital, Bangkok, and Hanoi in Vietnam.Tremors were felt as far afield as Beijing, the Thai capital, Bangkok, and Hanoi in Vietnam.
Workers in Beijing - about 930 miles from Chengdu - said buildings shook for about two minutes.Workers in Beijing - about 930 miles from Chengdu - said buildings shook for about two minutes.
In the city's financial district, people poured out of buildings, but there were no visible signs of damage.In the city's financial district, people poured out of buildings, but there were no visible signs of damage.
China's tallest building, the Jinmao Tower in Shanghai, was also evacuated after the earthquake, Reuters news agency said. China's tallest building, the Jinmao Tower in Shanghai, was also evacuated, Reuters news agency said.
Continuous quakeContinuous quake
In Chengdu, residents streamed on to the streets, cracks were reported in some buildings and water pipes burst.In Chengdu, residents streamed on to the streets, cracks were reported in some buildings and water pipes burst.
"There do not seem to be major damages. Some building are cracked, but nothing major, from what we can see in the area near our hotel," Gilles Barbier in Chengdu told the BBC News website. "Some building are cracked, but nothing major, from what we can see in the area near our hotel," Gilles Barbier in Chengdu told the BBC News website.
One student fainted as schools were evacuated across Sichuan provinceOne student fainted as schools were evacuated across Sichuan province
"The quake was really strong, continuous. Two aftershocks could be felt. Many people on the street." "The quake was really strong, continuous. Two aftershocks could be felt."
Bobby Silby in Zhengzhou, in Henan province said he was having lunch in a restaurant when he felt the tremors. Bobby Silby in Zhengzhou in Henan province said he was having lunch in a restaurant when he felt the tremors.
"It felt like the floor was moving all around me, everyone started running outside in a panic. The streets are still filled with people who haven't gone back into their buildings.""It felt like the floor was moving all around me, everyone started running outside in a panic. The streets are still filled with people who haven't gone back into their buildings."
Telephone lines to the affected areas were jammed.Telephone lines to the affected areas were jammed.
The area where Monday's earthquake struck lies on the eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau.The area where Monday's earthquake struck lies on the eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau.
Wenchuan county is home to the Wolong Nature Reserve, China's leading research and breeding base for endangered giant pandas.Wenchuan county is home to the Wolong Nature Reserve, China's leading research and breeding base for endangered giant pandas.
Earthquakes are common in China - in March a 7.2 magnitude quake struck in western Xinjiang province.Earthquakes are common in China - in March a 7.2 magnitude quake struck in western Xinjiang province.
Are you in the area? Did you feel the earthquake in your country? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below or text your experiences to: +44 7624 800 100Are you in the area? Did you feel the earthquake in your country? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below or text your experiences to: +44 7624 800 100
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