NANCHANG, Oct. 31 -- Police in east China's Jiangxi Province have launched a manhunt after a schoolchild was stabbed to death and another two sustained serious injuries on Friday, authorities said.

The suspect, who is around 50, attacked the children as they walked home from school at 11 a.m. local time in Luojia Village, Guifeng Township in Yiyang County, a spokesman with the county's publicity department said.

The suspect fled to a nearby mountain.

An 8-year-old boy died at the scene while his classmates are receiving intensive care in hospital, the spokesman said.

According to the publicity department, the suspect had been released from prison in April.

The investigation continues.