A powerful earthquake has struck southwestern China.
It's been described by Prime Minister Wen Jiabao as a "major disaster." Chinese state media say at least 107 people were killed by the magnitude 7.8 quake, with the toll expected to rise. Up to 900 high-school pupils are feared trapped after the collapse of school buildings at Dujiangyan in Sichuan province, according to the state news President Hu voices hope ahead of Tibet talks ...
Beijing athletes allowed to blog ... agency Xinhua. It said two primary schools had also collapsed in the metropolis of Chongqing. Troops have been dispatched to help in rescue efforts. The quake's epicentre was near Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. It was felt as far away as Thailand's capital Bangkok. Xinhua has quoted Chinese experts as saying the landmark Three Gorges Dam has not been affected. An Olympic Games spokesman said venues in Beijing and six other host cities around China were undamaged.
(Deutsche Welle)
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