In the Chinese province of Sichuan, about 900 students were trapped under rubble due to a powerful earthquake, Xinhua reports. Other details have not yet been disclosed.

Initially, it was reported that 6 people (including 4 children) died as a result of the collapse of elementary school buildings in Chongqing, located in the zone affected by the tremors, but at the moment it is known that the death toll was at least 107 people.

At the same time, at least 5 schools, where classes were being held at the time of the earthquake, were destroyed by tremors.

Chinese authorities estimate the death toll from today's earthquake in Sichuan province to be between 3,000 and 5,000 people. These are the estimates for only one of the province's counties - Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County, Chinese media report citing the local administration. At the same time, about 10 thousand people were injured. According to Chinese state media, up to 80% of all buildings in the county have been destroyed.

According to experts, earthquakes measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale can cause destruction within a radius of 100 km from the epicenter.

Let us remind you that this morning an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 occurred in western China. The epicenter of the earthquake was 29 km underground and 92 km northwest of the administrative center of Sichuan province, Chengdu, which is home to about 10 million people. Tremors were also felt in the Chinese capital Beijing, where thousands of people were temporarily evacuated from buildings. In addition, the earthquake was clearly felt in Thailand and neighboring Vietnam.

The exact scale of destruction and the number of victims are still unclear - the lack of telephone communications and electricity in the affected areas makes it difficult to obtain information. Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Wen Jiabao has already flown to Chengdu to personally supervise the work to eliminate the consequences of the natural disaster.

Powerful earthquake in China: five schools destroyed, children killed