downtoearth-subscribe

Massive death toll feared in Chinese earthquake

At least 1000 students and teachers were killed or buried in the collapse of another school in quake-hit south-west China, state media reported today. "So far, the number of dead or missing is estimated at more than 1000 at the school," Xinhua news agency said. The report came from Beichuan county, where reports earlier had said up to 5000 people in the area may have been killed by yesterday's 7.8-magnitude quake. Elsewhere, the quake left 500 people dead and 2000 buried under debris in one city, state TV said today, citing the local relief headquarters.