The death toll has climbed to 1,706 from a devastating earthquake in northwest China's Qinghai Province, with 256 people still missing, the rescue headquarters said Sunday.

As of 10 a.m. Sunday, the 7.1-magnitude quake, which struck the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu at 7:49 a.m. Wednesday, has also left 12,128 injured, of which 1,424 are in severe condition, the rescue headquarters said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 18, 2010)