AT least 9000 people were feared dead yesterday after a huge earthquake rocked central China.

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

Hundreds more were left injured and trapped after the 7.8-magnitude quake, which could be felt in Vietnam.

The epicentre was 57 miles from Chengdu, Sichuan's provincial capital.

The official Xinhua news agency reported 8533 people dead in Sichuan alone and more in surrounding areas.

In Beichuan county, just east of the epicentre, 80 per cent of the buildings collapsed, leaving 5000 dead and 10,000 injured.

A chemical plant in Shifang city collapsed, burying hundreds and spilling 80 tons of toxic liquid ammonia.

The school collapse in Juyuan, where 50 bodies were pulled out, saw survivors struggling to break free from under broken concrete while others cried out for help.

Arms and a torso stuck out of the rub...

>> Full Article