A magnitude-7.8 earthquake in southwestern China has killed more than 8,500 people, a number that could rise as authorities continue to assess the damage. China’s Xinhua news agency reported that rescue workers had difficulty reaching the epicenter because of obstructed roads.


BBC:

A powerful earthquake has killed at least 8,500 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 7.8-magnitude quake struck at 1428 local time (0628 GMT).

At least 50 bodies have been recovered from the rubble of a school where an estimated 900 students were buried.

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