SHANGHAI : Trading in 66 listed companies based in southwestern China will be suspended from Tuesday after a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 rocked the region, the country's two exchanges said.

The decision was taken due to difficulties contacting the companies' headquarters, the Shanghai Stock Exchange said.

Trading of the shares of 45 listed firms based in Sichuan province and the municipality of Chongqing was suspended on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, while 21 firms on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange were affected, the exchanges said in statements on their websites late on Monday.

"The bourse has been unable to get in touch with listed firms based in Sichuan and Chongqing," the Shanghai Stock Exchange said.

The death toll from the earthquake, which struck close to densely populated areas of Sichuan shortly before 2:30 pm (0630 GMT) on Monday, has risen to nearly 10,000, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday.

Chinese share prices closed 0.37 percent higher Monday as investors were anxiously waiting news developments after the powerful earthquake.

- AFP/vm