Update: China's Earthquake Death Toll May Rise Between 3,000 To 5,000

Chengdu, China (AHN) - The Sichuan provincial disaster relief headquarters estimated Monday evening the death toll in the 7.8 magnitude tremor that shook China would rise from 3,000 to 5,000 people in the Beichuan county.

Another 10,000 residents are expected to be injured with the collapse of 80 percent of buildings in the Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County. The temblor hit China 2:28 p.m. Monday, with the epicenter at Wenchuan County, located 98.8 miles (159 kilometers) northwest of Chengdu.

Since then, there were 313 aftershocks recorded, according to the Sichuan Provincial Seismological Bureau, quoted by Xinhua News.

The BBC reported at least 50 bodies have been unearthed from a school rubble where around 900 students were buried. More schoolchildren are feared to be buried underneath collapsed school houses since the earthquake happened during school hours.

According to BBC, there are still Chinese students from the three-story Juyuan Middle School still trapped in the rubbles and crying for assistance.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao flew into Chengdu Monday afternoon to inspect the quake-ravaged area. He said the temblor was a major geological disaster and appealed for calm, confidence, efficiency and strong leadership as the country faces another trial.