Amber Gero's report on powerful Chinese quake

Communications lines are down so its difficult to get an accurate picture of the extent of death and destruction from a very powerful earthquake in southwestern China overnight.

Listen to Amber Gero's report

It happened around 2:30 our time in Sichuan province.

The Xinhua News Agency is now reporting at least 107 people are dead including 4 children and 34 injured. It says two primary schools were toppled by the quake which measured 7.8 on the Richter scale. Nearly 900 students are believed to be buried in the rubble but it's not clear if they are alive.

This quake was felt in many partrs of China, including Beijing. It was also felt in Hanoi, Vietnam and Bangkok, Thailand.

Chinese President Hu Jintao has ordered all-out efforts to help those affected by the quake. The Premier of China is en route to the epicentre to direct the rescue work.

Reports by CFRB's Amber Gero