Yingxiu Township: With China still reeling under the deadly earthquake that is feared to have killed more than 50,000 people, severity of the catastrophe is slowly surfacing in Wenchuan - the epicentre of the quake.

Stories are coming to light about heroism and tragedy. Zhang Miya, a teacher at the Yingxiu township primary school, which completely collapsed in the quake, appeared as a hero for the locals as he chose to save lives of two of his students at the cost of his own.

When rescuers found the body of Zhang Miya, they were astonished at his gesture.

The 29-year-old man knelt on debris, extending both arms to hug two of his students, like an eagle spreading its wings. On his back was some of the fallen wreckage of the building and under his arms, the children were alive.

The teacher was clutching his students so tightly, rescuers had to saw his arms off to pull out the children.

"He protected students like an eagle," said a rescue official.