China quake buries hundreds in chemical plants, Xinhua reports

BEIJING, China (CNN) - Monday's earthquake buried hundreds of people in two collapsed chemical plants, and more than 80 tons of ammonia leaked out, China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

The two plants were among a series of buildings that collapsed in Sichuan's Shifang city, including private homes, schools and factories, Xinhua said.

The local government has evacuated 6,000 civilians from the area and is dispatching firefighters to help at the scene, Xinhua reported.