China earthquake death toll rises to 55,740

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Source: CCTV.com | 05-24-2008 09:41

The death toll from the Wenchuan quake has increased by another 4,589, according to the latest update from the State Council's Information Office.

China earthquake death toll rises to 55,740

By noon on Friday, the official tally stood at 55,740 dead and 292,481 injured. Nearly 25 thousand people are still listed as missing. The China Seismological Bureau has reported more than seven thousand aftershocks. 175 measured above magnitude 4, 27 were above magnitude five, and 4 above magnitude six.

As of noon on Friday, donations from home and abroad had reached 24.6 billion yuan, an increase of 3.2 billion yuan from the day before. Three billion yuan has already been forwarded to the quake-affected areas.

The central government and local governments have so far allocated more than 14 billion yuan for rescue and relief work. Sichuan's Water Resources Bureau says barrier lakes do not pose immediate major risks.

Power and water supplies have been restored in most quake-hit regions. But 33 roads in Sichuan are still blocked. Railway workers have removed the last major blockage along the Baoji-Chengdu line. They have also been strengthening a damaged tunnel.

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LATEST UPDATE ON SICHUAN QUAKE

DEATH TOLL: 55,740

INJURED: 292,481

MISSING: 24,960