Thousands of people in China's south-west were spending the night outside, fearing aftershocks following an earthquake that has claimed more than 8,700 lives, a witness and state press said.

"I just passed by a city called Nanchong in the north-east of Sichuan where hundreds, perhaps thousands, are sleeping outside fearing more earthquakes," an AFP reporter said.

He said most of the people were talking, watching television, or walking up and down the streets.

"One green area in the middle of a roundabout was full of people trying to sleep."

The quake, with a magnitude of 7.8, struck close to densely populated areas of Sichuan province shortly before 2.30pm (1630 AEST) on Monday.

Access to many buildings in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, was banned after the quake, Bertrand Hartemann, a Frenchman working in the city, told AFP.

Thousands of people were spending the night in the open air and authorities opened up the city's stadium.

"Most of Chengdu's population is outside, in parks, in the stadium, on the main square, sleeping outside," Hartemann said.

Inhabitants were, however, allowed to go back home to get blankets, he said.

Chengdu, close to the mountains, is well known for its cool climate and fog.

China's central television, quoting a local reporter, said 20,000 people were sleeping outside in Deyang county, north of Chengdu.

The government was providing tents, CCTV said.

I've been to Suchan province and I've been to its capital city (of the province) Chengdu a few times.

Let's just say.... thank god it wasn't at where high population density city. There are 100 million people in that province. It could've been HORRIBLE.

Epic-centre of the quake is only 10 km deep, that's some seriously nasty stuff.

You will see more lying from the Chinese official media.

so sad

@Kingofwale I agree and I am surprised their are so less deaths.

They could feel the shock in Bangkok (Thailand) must be huge;

Wuhan was full of houses like this when I was there a few years ago.

Probably macadamized by now, in one way or another.

And yes, it is really sad, I'm sure that the death toll will end at a significantly higher number than hat is presented now.

ABC news reported it is now at 10,000

wow. This horrible. I really hope they rebuild with better precautions. Maybe take a look at how other nations create buildings with a little bit better earthquake resistant designs. California has some really good solutions.

 I'm 1/4 Chinese. my family called around and so far most of our relatives are safe. Telephone lines are quick messed up and there are definitely death within people we know.

Wow. WuHan isn't even in the same province. HOw tragic.

I wouldn't be surprise if the number climbs to around 50,000. Giving this is China, the actual number might be in the 100K. A lot of farming communities might be completely wiped out. So far, the armies couldn't even reach there yet. 

 Well, I heard the ground cracked up at some places..I know you can protect buildings against tremblings but against ground that cracks open? 

You have to realize that Wuhan isn't at the epiccentre.. in fact, it's not even in the same province, there's absolutely no reason for the ground to crack open there.

 Building quality is a HUGE issue there. Government official often (well, most of the time) take bribes and hires companies to use much less than capable materials for kickbacks.

Welcome to Communism.