Many structures rattled and some buildings were evacuated, but Beijing's Olympic Organizing Committee says none of this year's Summer Games venues were damaged.

The new national stadium, called the Bird's Nest, is designed to withstand an 8.0 quake, which is 0.1 stronger than Monday's tremor.

There was no damage at the Bird's Nest or at the swimming venue called the Water Cube.

Although Beijing is about 1,500 kilometres north of where the quake hit, many people in the Chinese capital actually thought the earthquake had occurred in the Beijing-area.

Chinese State media reports that the death toll has climbed to nearly 10,000 in the worst-hit province.

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge has today written to Chinese President Hu Jintao after hearing reports about the earthquake.

He extended the support of the IOC and the entire Olympic movement to Jintao and the Chinese people.

"We send our deepest felt condolences for the victims," Rogge wrote in his letter. "The Olympic movement is at your side, especially during these difficult moments. Our thoughts are with you."

The 7.9-magnitude quake has devastated a region of small cities and towns in an area of Sichuan province, north of the capital of Chengdu. China's official news agency says about 600 people died in Shifang city, which was the site of a major chemical leak.

The report does not say whether people were killed by the quake or the chemical leak.

China's news agency is reporting that as many as 2,300 people in the city are still buried under rubble, including more than 900 students.

Landslides have blocked roads into the hardest-hit areas -- and rescue workers were headed there on foot.

Back in Canada, British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell is offering condolences to the families of the victims and says he still plans to head to China on a trade mission this weekend.

"I think the critical thing for (the Chinese) to know is we're open to them recommending if we can be of assistance in any way," Campbell said. "We'd love to hear how we can do that."

In less than three months, thousands of people will visit Beijing for the Summer Olympics.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Mike Killeen and the Canadian Press