Wang Yingying, 8, lost her twin sister in the earthquake that hit Ya'an in Sichuan province on Saturday morning, West China Metropolis Daily reported Sunday.

She had been sleeping beside her mother when the 7.0-magnitude tremblor happened. Her elder sister, Wang Jingjing, was doing homework downstairs.

The girls' mother, Zhang Xia, took Wang Yingying from the house as the disaster?happened but was unable to find Wang Jingjing in time.

As the house collapsed, a piece of the ceiling struck Zhang's eldest daughter in the head as she ran for the door. The blow killed her instantly, according to the report.

The twins were due to celebrate their ninth birthday in October.

Contact the writer at caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn