The earthquake struck in the middle of the afternoon when chinese schools and offices were full.  State media report thousands are dead in the 7.8 magnitude quake.  

This woman ran to a friend saying her room were shaking.  Nearly 900 people are trapped in the rubble of their school.  Reporters saw burried teenagers struggling to climb out from among the clasped building. 

China's Preimer said that all chinese officials should take the lead to deal with the aftermath of the earthquake. More than 5000 soliders and police have been rushed to Sichuan near the quake epicenter. While the struck at the center of the country was strong enough to sway office towers in Beijing, more than 900 miles to the north. Many people were running to the streets when the shaking began. Officials say 80% of the buildings in one county have collapsed that is led to fears of the death toll could climb dramatically. People report traffic jams and water and power outages, telephone lines are jammed as people try to call the affected region.  

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