China earthquake death toll rises to 41,353

BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The death toll in China's devastating earthquake increased by 1,278 to 41,353 as 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Information Office of the State Council.

And 274,683 people were injured and 32,666 missing in the 8.0-magnitude quake that jolted southwestern Sichuan Province on May 12.

According to the Department of General Staff of the People's Liberation Army, rescuers saved and evacuated 396,811 people from the quake-hit areas to safe places, including 6,452 survivors dug out from the rubble.

The Ministry of Health said here that 3,424 people, injured in the earthquake, died in hospital as of Wednesday noon.

The hospitals have taken in 59,394 injured people since the quake. By 12:pm Wednesday, 30,289 people have recovered and left while 25,681 were still receive treatment, the ministry said.

Power supply restored in most part of quake-hit areas but Beichuan county, one of the worst hit ones, remained black out and Hongyuan had seen electricity cut off again due to aftershocks, the State Electricity Regulatory Commission said in a statement.

Roads damaged in the quake totaled 28,829 kilometers, and 19,645 kilometers have been repaired and reopened to traffic as of Wednesday.