Eight teenagers have been killed and 26 others injured in a stampede at a middle school in Central China's Hunan Province.

Local authorities say the incident occurred on Monday night at the privately run Yucai Middle School, in the city if Xiangxiang.

According to eyewitness reports, students had just completed their evening study session and were exiting the building when one of them tripped down the stairs on the second floor, setting off a cascade of bodies. Seven boys and one girl, aged between 11 and 14, were killed in the ensuing crush. The injured students are under medical observation in local hospitals.

A joint investigation team consisting of safety, public security and officials from the prosecutor's office have questioned the principal and chairman of the school board. The Xiangxiang city government has fired the head of the Education Department for negligence.