BEIJING -- A powerful earthquake that struck in southwest China damaged two chemical plants, burying hundreds of people and forcing the evacuation of more than 6,000 people nearby, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The factories are located in Shifeng, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the epicenter of the quake in Sichuan province, Xinhua said, citing an official from the State Administration of Work Safety.

In a separate report, Xinhua said that schools had collapsed in the same city and that telecommunications and power lines had been cut.

The 7.8-magnitude quake, which hit Wenchuan County in Sichuan shortly before 2.30 pm (0630 GMT), left more than 7,000 dead in the province, state media said.

Deaths were also reported in neighboring provinces.