Chongqing, china (AP) Chinese state media says more than 8,500 have died in Sichuan province alone from a massive earthquake.

The official Xinhua News Agency said that another 10,000 people were believed hurt in one of the province's counties after the 7.8-magnitude quake today.

Nearly 900 students were trapped after their school collapsed about 60 miles from the quake's epicenter. Xinhua reported students also were buried under five other toppled schools.

The earthquake struck in the middle of the afternoon when classrooms and office towers were full.

The temblor was felt as far away as Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand.