Rising death toll in China quake

A powerful earthquake has shaken southwest China.

The earthquake registered a magnitude of 7.8 and was centred on an area of China's Sichuan province less than 100 km (60 miles) from the provincial capital of Chengdu. It was felt as far southwest as Bangkok, Thailand's capital, some 3,300 km (2,050 miles) away. Initial reports on Monday (12 May 2008) suggested a rapidly rising death toll.