Seven children killed in Chinese school attack

Seven children and a teacher were hacked to death and at least 20 others injured today at a kindergarten in China's north-west Shaanxi province.

The shocking attack in the Nanzheng county of Hanzhong city was the latest in a string of attacks on schools.

The killings occurred despite a countrywide increase in security at schools, with additional police and guards posted at school gates.

The official Xinhua News Agency said the attack happened at 8am (1am BST).

Liu Xiaoming, deputy director of the propaganda department of Hanzhong city, said: "The murderer killed himself afterwards."

Today's rampage comes after three attacks at schools and kindergartens late last month left dozens of children injured and raised questions on security and issues of massive social inequalities believed to cause the violence.