The death toll from Tuesday's crush at a primary school in southwest China's Sichuan Province has risen from ten to twelve.

 

The accident took place when around 480 fourth- and fifth-graders leaving an evening class at 8 PM panicked after a blackout left corridors in the dark.

 

Some students apparently shouted “ghost,” causing children to rush to a staircase where some fell, only to be trampled upon by others.

 

Seven died on the spot; and five later in hospital. Of the 27 injured, seven were reported to be in a critical condition.

 

A teacher at the school, who did not want to be identified, denied earlier media reports that the students were killed when a dilapidated building collapsed, saying, "The building is new and completed only in May".

 

Guangna Town Central Primary School is in Tongjiang County, about 600 kilometers from the provincial capital Chengdu.

 

(China Daily October 27, 2005)