Massive quake kills thousands
in China

Nearly 9,000 reported killed

12 May 08 - One of the worst earthquakes in decades struck central China on Monday, killing nearly 9,000 people, state media reported.

The 7.9-magnitude quake devastated a region of small cities and towns set amid steep hills north of Sichuan's provincial capital of Chengdu and sent people rushing into the streets hundreds of miles away in Beijing and Shanghai. The temblor was felt as far away as Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand and Taiwan.

Xinhua said 80 percent of the buildings had collapsed in Beichuan county in Sichuan province after the quake, raising fears the overall death toll could increase sharply.

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