Over 10,000 people dead in China

The most powerful earthquake to hit China in 30 years has killed at least 10,000 people in south-western Sichuan province, with thousands more trapped.

Chinese state media said that 10,000 people were thought to be buried in one town alone near the epicenter of the earthquake in Wenchuan County. Premier Wen Jiabao has called for urgent efforts to reach cut-off areas.

"The situation is worse than we previously estimated and we need more people here to help," he said. Speaking from the disaster relief headquarters northwest of Sichuan's provincial capital, Chengdu, he said roads to towns at the quake's epicenter had to be cleared.

Perhaps this earthquake will shake the foundations of the state as well.

At least 7,000 people dead in China

A powerful earthquake is reported to have killed at least 7,000 people in China's south-western Sichuan province, up to 5,000 of them in just one county.

Many more are feared killed and injured in other parts of the country after the quake, which had a magnitude of 7.8, struck at 1428 local time. At least 50 bodies have been recovered from the rubble of a school where an estimated 900 students were buried.

President Hu Jintao has urged "all-out" efforts to rescue victims. The epicenter of the earthquake was about 92km from Chengdu, Sichuan's provincial capital. Because the earthquake struck in the middle of the day, it is feared that many schoolchildren may be among the victims.

There is no other comment here, only sorrow!