Eight students were killed and another 26 injured in a stampede in a school stairwell in Hunan province, central China, state media have said.
About 400 students made for one narrow stairway after evening classes when one fell, setting off the crush, China Central TV said.
Seven boys and one girl aged 11 to 14 from Yucai Middle School in Xiangxiang city were reported killed.
Eight other students were being treated in hospital for their injuries.
The accident happened on Monday evening but the school was open for classes as usual on Tuesday.
Pictures on China Central TV showed the blood-stained stairway where the stampede occurred cordoned off. The state-run Xinhua news agency said it was less than 1.5m (5ft) wide.
One 14-year-old boy said he saw students below him on the staircase stumble and fall before he too was pushed by those behind him.
