Ten children have been confirmed dead and 34 injured in a crush at a primary school in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday evening.

The accident took place at Guangna Town Central Primary School in Tongjiang County at 8 PM as students left classrooms after an evening lesson. The corridors were thrown into darkness after the lights went out, causing panic amongst the children, who rushed to a staircase.

Seven children were killed as students fell and were trampled underfoot. Five were reported to be in a critical condition and another 37 injured, but the death toll had risen to ten by 11:30 PM.

According to a deputy head of the county, Zhao, the children still in a critical condition had been traumatized by the event.

(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2005)