China school crush kills children

At least seven children have died and 37 injured in a stampede at a primary school in south-western China.

The incident occurred as the children were streaming down a staircase after Tuesday's evening classes in the Sichuan province, state media said.

Five of the injured were taken to hospital in critical condition.

Officials have launched an inquiry into the deaths in Tongjiang county, but have already ruled out any structural problems with the staircase.

Local press reports say that the stampede began when some children shouted "Ghosts are coming!" on the darkened staircase.

China's worst stampede in recent years took place in February 2004 during Lunar New Year festivities near the capital, Beijing.

Thirty-seven people were killed as they gathered on a packed canal bridge for a lantern and firework display.