Pupil pulled to safety in China after 80 hours

Rescuers have pulled a pupil to safety after being trapped for 80 hours in the debris of a school following China’s massive earthquake, it was reported today.

The official state news agency Xinhua said rescuers could still hear weak cries for help from the collapsed building in Beichuan in the northern part of Sichuan and hoped to rescue more students.

The confirmed death toll from Monday’s earthquake has risen to 19,509, but the government says that is expected to more than double.

Meanwhile, Chinese president Hu Jintao flew into Sichuan province today to lend support to earthquake victims